Traditional East Coast Boats Preserved As Miniature Replicas

By Mohd Afiq Zulkifli

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 9 (Bernama) – A deep fascination with traditional east coast fishing boats since his youth has driven a carpenter from Kampung Beris Alor Pisang in Besut, Terengganu, to create miniature-scale replicas that not only resemble real boats but can also be operated on water using a remote-control (RC) system.

Engku Abbas Engku Ngah, 59, better known as Pokku, said his interest began in his early 20s when he would watch his cousin’s father build C2-type boats. Over time, he started experimenting on his own and eventually mastered the craft, producing models that preserve the signature features of deep-sea east coast boats.

“When I was young, I was a fisherman and was always out at sea. Each time I returned, I would stop by to watch how my cousin’s father built boats. I observed the entire process for several months before finally daring to try it myself.

“At first, I used discarded wood and plywood, building little by little until it became a boat. From there, my passion grew stronger, and I kept going until I completed my first miniature boat in 2017,” he told Bernama in a recent interview.

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Pokku, who has been working as a carpenter full-time since 2002, said he had already mastered the fundamentals of making boat replicas during his years as a fisherman, while his carpentry experience helped refine the precision of his work.

The father of three said this foundation allowed him to replicate various traditional east coast boat designs, including those from Kelantan and Terengganu, as well as Siam-style boats and the C2 class boats, which are often used for deep-sea operations.

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According to Pokku, each replica takes between two and three months to complete, depending on size. He offers five size options: two feet (0.61 metres), two and a half feet (0.76 m), three feet (0.91 m), three and a half feet (1.07 m) and five feet (1.52 m).

“These replicas consist of two main components: the deck (boat body) and the tender (cabin and accessories). The tender is the most challenging part because every small item – such as fishing rods, gunwale, torch tower, railings, spotlights and netting equipment – must be individually made and installed. It involves delicate, detailed work, which is why the tender costs more than the boat body,” he explained.

On the materials used, he said the keel or main structural frame is made from water-resistant wood like cengal and red meranti, while the boat body is built from plywood coated with fibre, especially for RC models.

“For RC boats, the replicas are fitted with specially ordered electronic components, including batteries, electronic speed controller, motor, rudder and propeller, as well as the servo, which allows the boat to move steadily on water,” he said.

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To date, he has produced nearly 50 replicas, priced between RM3,000 and RM6,000 depending on the size. Since he is not active on social media, most of his customers find him through word-of-mouth recommendations. His customers, from Peninsular Malaysia as well as Sabah and Sarawak, comprise mainly east coast fishing boat enthusiasts, former fishermen or their families, hobbyists and RC boat collectors.

Pokku added that the satisfaction of seeing a fully detailed miniature boat emerge from a plain piece of wood is what keeps him motivated to continue creating new replicas.

-- BERNAMA