M - Boatmaking Process | Creative Archival

Sea

Boats

Tools Storage & Washroom

Workshop

Wood Storage

Scaffolding

The boats are located on top of the water surface, allowing for an easier send-off when construction is completed. The boats also acts as a workspace for the workers.

This building consists of 2 levels. The ground floor accommodates the storage room for tools and the first floor has resting spaces and a washroom for the workers.

This main building consists of a workshop for wood cutting and also compartments for wood storage.

These structures surround the boat and act as a frame for the construction process, allowing for convenient accessibility and platforms for the workers to stand on.

Canopy

This fabric attaches to the scaffolding and protects the boat and workers from rain. It also provides shade.

After construction is completed, the boats will be directly hauled onto the sea by a tug boat

Wood is stored on the sides of the roads for easy access

Large pieces of batu and chengal wood which have arrived on the island from boats are transported to the boatmaking factory. They are then offloaded onto the side of the road and moved into the factory using a crane.

Transport Wood

First Ritual

龙骨 Main Bone

Starting with the main structural support known as the main or dragon bone (龙骨), the boat will be constructed.

A prayer is offered to Lu ban before the construction process begins. The customer's desired date (on the lunar calendar) will be used to raise the primary bone. On the sea, firecrackers are usually lighted as a symbol of wealth and relief.

Prayers would be offered to Lu Ban, asking for efficient output and prevention against easily avoidable injuries.

内稳和外稳 Interior & Exterior Walls

狗骨 Decking

The next structure is the ribs (排骨). The core rib structures can be constructed using tracing templates. By measuring in between the sections of the core ribs, the remaining rib structures are constructed by straight templates.

The boat is then strengthened by the addition of long beams called Diao Liang and Diao Chiam which located on the boat ribs. Continue with the wall's interior and exterior (内稳和外稳 ). These are put in place to give the ribs additional support and keep them from shifting.

Before building deck, the beam (bon gong) is build to support joists of the deck (gou gu狗骨). It is then covered up with wood planks to form the landing on the 狗骨 and beneath the 狗骨

Wood Working

The workers produce the boat components in the workshop and use a variety of tools and methods to achieve the desired shape of the boat, including shaving, carving, planing, sawing and many more.

Drilling, Nailing & Stuffing thread 5.png

排骨 Ribs Construction

Boat Propeller

A wooden flight is led up vertically. The propeller is put into the propeller shaft after a hole is drilled to accommodate it.

After the installation is complete, they will carry out the boat-launching ritual. They are waiting for the tide to rise up. Once reaching certain high. The new boat was then dragged and pulled out to sea by a tugboat.