Smitten by the traditional double-masted phinisi sailing yachts of Indonesia, French marine carpenter Yann Martinie de Maisonneuve journeyed from his first self-designed wooden hull to co-founding Pacific High bespoke yacht maker and charter company.
Words: Andrew Dembina

Yann Martinie de Maisonneuve, co-founder and Director of Pacific High; Photo: Sarah Bakkas

“The line is not so stable here, it could cut out, so don’t worry if it does – it happens,” Yann Martinie de Maisonneuve mentions at the start of our conference call, in December 2024. The co-founder and Director of Pacific High, the luxury phinisi builder and customised-charter company, was speaking in South Sulawesi, while moving forward with his latest hull, Sanya, in the company’s shipyard in Bira.

This in-build Indonesian phinisi sailing yacht is Martinie de Maisonneuve’s sixth all-hardwood sailing yacht, built with traditional materials, methods and craftsmen as a starting point – with modifications for its performance and passenger experience – and is rooted in his accumulated, hands-on knowledge of crafting yachts there from 2009.

“I started to build my first boat two weeks after arriving,” he said. “It took nine months to launch and sail her away, and the same time to learn the Indonesian language. It is very important to be able to communicate effectively with all the boat builders, woodworkers, sailors, and engage with the local community. I would like to think that we [now] play a part in Bira to keep the tradition of phinisi boatbuilding alive.

The 36m Sanya, due to join the fleet this summer, in build at the Pacific High shipyard in Bira; Photo: Pacific High

“Bira holds a unique significance as one the few locations in Indonesia where large maritime vessels have been constructed for centuries. This rich tradition fosters a vibrant economy centred around boat building and maritime activities. Our team is composed of multiple generations from this area, including skilled sailors and dedicated carpenters, which cultivates a profound sense of unity and shared purpose.

“Each member of our workforce is deeply committed to their craft, taking immense pride in their contributions. Together, we strive towards a common goal, ensuring that our legacy of excellence in traditional boatbuilding continues to thrive.”

This August, Sanya – a name of Balinese and Sanskrit derivation, meaning The First Ray of Light – is due to be the fourth phinisi hull in the 2018-launched Pacific High fleet. At 36m in length, it will be the second ‘honeymooner’ model with a single ocean-view master suite and a lower-deck cabin, both en suite, as is standard in Pacific High yachts.

The 31m Senja, Pacific High’s first ‘honeymooner’ phinisi in full sail; Photo: Filippo Cesarini

Sanya will be a twin sibling to the 31m Senja (launched in 2021), meaning ‘dusk’ in Indonesian, which is also built with a single suite on the main deck, and designed with full privacy for couples or small families in mind.

“When first discussing the commission to build ‘another Senja’ – one-master-cabin honeymooner, for two to four passengers – we agreed with the owner that we envisioned Sanya becoming the benchmark for our phinisi builds in terms of aesthetics, quality of workmanship, and safety,” said Martinie de Maisonneuve.

“While Senja’s aesthetic is retained in terms of the overall physical layout, most enhancements that take place may not be immediately obvious. Sanya’s length overall is 36m compared to Senja’s 31m, with most of the additional space used for a larger engine room, crew quarters, and storage areas. Sanya will also feature steel masts instead of wooden ones, though the difference will be hardly noticeable – this change was made for improved longevity and easier maintenance.”

The 32m Nataraja (left) and 33m Dewata; Photo: Sarah Bakkas

Pacific High’s other two previously constructed phinisis each have ocean-view suites. Nataraja (Lord of Dance – a form of the Hindu god Shiva), at 32m in length, also has a Deluxe Cabin, plus an open-air dining space with wide panoramas; and 33m Dewata (2023, bearing the name of an Indonesian term meaning Divine Being) has an additional lower-deck cabin, allowing privacy between decks.

Majik, also launched in 2023, at 42m in length, was a commission from a private investor and is not part of the company fleet.

MARITIME PASSION LEADS TO CREATION OF PACIFIC HIGH

Growing up on the scenic coast of western France, Martinie de Maisonneuve’s connection to the ocean was immediate. Pursuing formal training in naval carpentry, a foundation was laid for a career marked by creativity, a keen interest in precision, and respect for traditional shipbuilding.

The alluring main-deck master suite aboard Senja; Photo: Oliver Astrologo

In 2009, when Martinie de Maisonneuve ventured to Bira, the heartland of the country’s phinisi boat-building tradition on the edge of Indonesia’s Banda Sea, after immersing himself in this craft, he began devising ways to harmonise the centuries-old techniques with modern building and design innovations, which are still constantly evolving.

Today, additional key elements of Martinie de Maisonneuve’s take on phinisi building melds fusing the functional and luxurious while remaining fundamentally connected to the cultural and environmental contexts of their operation base, often drawing inspiration from Indonesia’s storied maritime heritage.

For him, a completed phinisi yacht is more than a mode of transportation. “It is a vessel of exploration, comfort, and cultural immersion,” he said.

Zirbad, Yann Martinie de Maisonneuve’s first Bira build, photographed in 2010; Photo: Pacific High

Martinie de Maisonneuve’s first sailboat build in Bira in 2009, Zirbad – meaning The Land Below the Wind, used in Indonesian in reference to the Malaysian and Indonesian stretch of islands dimensions in Borneo and Sulawesi waters – was 22m in length with a beam of 4.5m.

“She was a local lambo – which is very similar to a [single-masted-sailing] sloop,” said Martinie de Maisonneuve. “I sailed her from 2010 to 2015, for about 70,000 nautical miles, first personally and then as a charter operation, before selling her to a private owner.”

Following the years of sailing Zirbad, came his second construction: Nataraja. This 32m phinisi was the first to embody Martinie de Maisonneuve’s true ‘traditional build meets elevated modern comfort’ spirit.

Nataraja’s generous covered dining and lounge areas; Photo: Pacific High 

In 2018, a fortuitous crossing of paths with Danish couple, Peter and Charlotte Galsgaard occurred. They fell in love with the charm of phinisi yachts and the seas of Indonesia, during one of Martinie de Maisonneuve’s cruises, and the three brainstormed, which led to an enthusiastic partnership and launch of Pacific High luxury phinisi cruising company.

The elevated revamp of Nataraja and the setting of new service standards got the ball rolling, establishing the fledgling operator’s hull number one.

MEMORABLE CRUISES AND PHINISI-OWNERSHIP PLANS

With the company in progress, the co-founders’ agreed direction for the charter-guest and potential phinisi-owner experience would focus on “client-centricity”, which had the biggest hand in determining the direction of future builds. “Our mission is to deliver highly-personalised yachts, tailored to individual preferences, ensuring exclusivity and satisfaction,” Martinie de Maisonneuve explained.

Cultural insights and lifestyle diversions are options during Pacific High charters; Photo: Sarah Bakkas

Through Pacific High, he pursues the vision of offering guests an authentic connection to some of Asia’s coastal beauty and rich seafaring traditions, while laying the groundwork for an expanded presence across the luxury travel landscape. This has been given solid potential by a strong core team formed since 2018.

Alongside the three co-founders, Johanna Mérer – with extensive experience navigating Indonesian seas and overseeing operations – joined as Partner and Fleet Director. Clarice Jamain, initially General Manager, became Head of Sales and Business Development in January 2025, leveraging her expertise to expand Pacific High’s reach.

Also in January, Fabien Audibert became Pacific High’s new General Manager. With over 20 years of experience in luxury yachting and hospitality, he brings a strong track record in operational and client service excellence.

Guests enjoy a beach massage in Komodo National Park; Photo: Oliver Astrologo

With a comprehensive approach encompassing design, construction, ownership, and management of private luxury yacht charters, Pacific High offers curated travel experiences.

Furthermore, the company has expanded its offerings to include luxury management services and some exploring into seedling propositions that Martinie de Maisonneuve had been researching and begun planning before co-founding Pacific High – including waterfront development and investment, and private aviation services within the Asia-Pacific.

THE SHIPYARD

The Pacific High shipyard in Bira is the first of its kind: a dedicated facility that spans 5,000sqm with an 80m seafront, providing ample space for operations. Capable of accommodating up to four new builds simultaneously, each with a length overall of up to 65m, the shipyard is an impressive phinisi-building site.

Martinie de Maisonneuve, hands-on in the yard with Sanya construction, December 2024; Photo: Pacific High

A one- or two-master cabin yacht takes between 13 to 16 months to build, depending on the level of customisation and changes to the original design while under construction. A 40-50m yacht would take 24 to 28 months.

Looking ahead, Pacific High continues its niche within the traditional yacht-building sector with a new collaboration with Alur Biru Maritim (ABM) – a joint venture between the Korean conglomerate ST International and SLM (Sinarmas LDA Maritime) – a collaboration between Indonesia’s Sinar Mas, owned by the Widjaja family, and France’s Pacemar, owned by the Louis-Dreyfus family, which commissioned Sanya.

“ABM and SLM CEO Matthieu Lavoine sailed with us in Raja Ampat on Senja a few years ago and appreciated our service and yacht experience; starting discussions between us in 2023 and the signing of Sanya in 2024,” said Martinie de Maisonneuve. “Our partnership is strong and we are aiming to build several yachts together, along with other development plans.

The three-phinisi fleet in Raja Ampat; Photo: Lily Rose

“Pacific High’s current objective is to initiate the construction of three large units annually, each exceeding 40m in length. During 2025, we will commence work on a new 54m superyacht, while also engaging in discussions regarding two additional models measuring 43 and 49m.”

For personal commissions, Martinie de Maisonneuve mentioned Pacific High does not confine itself to targeting a specific market.

“Instead, we focus on individuals who value the yachting lifestyle and seek investments that are not only enjoyable but also financially viable. Our clients typically envision their yachts as dual-purpose assets generating revenue through our cruise operations while providing them with the opportunity to indulge in several weeks of leisure on board each year.”

VISION FOR 2025 AND BEYOND

While the imminent arrival of Sanya solidifies Pacific High’s fleet with a second honeymooners’ hull, and Martinie de Maisonneuve and Pacific High are currently also working on conceptualisation of larger yachts ranging from 49-64m for client requests, there are also plans to expand charter-operation locations. Thailand, the Philippines and the Maldives are being considered.

“The dream is to bring our boats to these places in the future,” said Martinie de Maisonneuve. “Given the success our yachts are having in Indonesia, we believe it is an opportune moment to expand our operations into Southeast Asia and other strategic locations.

Realistically for 2025, as a strategy, we are focused on establishing partnerships with key local individuals or companies. I believe collaborating with strong local partners is essential for growth and ensuring we deliver the same exceptional experiences [elsewhere]. We are already in talks with potential partners in Thailand and the Maldives.”

The 31m Senja, viewed from the 33m Dewata; Photo: Oliver Astrologo

Additionally, the company is diversifying into waterfront real estate projects, creating exclusive developments that merge oceanfront luxury with sustainable design principles. Leading this charge is Martinie de Maisonneuve, whose entrepreneurial spirit continues to propel Pacific High toward leadership in luxury and hospitality throughout the region.

“By aligning our maritime endeavours with complementary services, we create a multifaceted investment opportunity that appeals to discerning clients who seek both enjoyment and financial returns.” he said. “The year 2025 looks to be an exciting one for us.”

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