Dhow building plans and other help ...

[Ouboet]

Hi allI am new to the forum and hope this is the begiining of a long and fruitful (helpful ;-D) journey together.I have been asked to build a dhow for a business acquaintance of mine in Mozambique and I am urgently looking for detailed building plans that I can use. We are currently planning a 10-seater to ferry visitors and material accross one of the larger rivers and bays.An Internet search led me to the book "The Art of Dhow-building in Kuwait " and was wondering if any of you have any comments on the usefulness of this book.I look forward to hear from you.

[Bram V]

Woodenboat had a (sadly short) article of a recreated 9th century dhow, other than that, I am of little use tou you.

[Thad]

http://nabataea.net/ships.html http://collections.rmg.co.uk/collect...ects/7051.html http://www.omanet.om/english/culture/boats.asp?cat=cult http://www.google.com/search?q=dhow&...w=1478&bih=895
No plans, but resources. You might need to hire a builder from Lamu or Oman.

[JimConlin]

Some Emirati have too much money on their hands and have gone to carbon spars (made in North America) and Kiwi crew.

[Ouboet]

Have anyone read and/or studied the book mentioned? Will I waste my money if I buy the book? I am not interested in letting someone do it for me, I am going to build a small Dhow myself. I need to have tecnicall data, so that I can do a costing and work out a quote so that I can get a 50% deposit from my client and start building.

[Thad]

Have fun! Should be fun.

[peter osberg]

I was in stonetown Zanzibar 4 years or so ago and spotted a traditional boatyard (very basic) where they were making Dhows (at least 6 in various stages of completion), on the foreshore, with the milling, shaping and assembling all going on among the mangroves(?). It was barely visible from the road, but I managed to divert, to tour the 'boat yard'. There was no, visible drafting, plans, lofting, let alone the presence of a telephone, the product was a bit rough looking close up but they looked quite picturesque when fitted out and on the water. They were the water taxis between Zanzibar and the coast of Tanzania (40 or 50 miles of open water) I can email some picts if you want but have had no luck with post in picts on the forum.

[Peerie Maa]

I was in stonetown Zanzibar 4 years or so ago and spotted a traditional boatyard (very basic) where they were making Dhows (at least 6 in various stages of completion), on the foreshore, with the milling, shaping and assembling all going on among the mangroves(?). It was barely visible from the road, but I managed to divert, to tour the 'boat yard'. There was no, visible drafting, plans, lofting, let alone the presence of a telephone, the product was a bit rough looking close up but they looked quite picturesque when fitted out and on the water. They were the water taxis between Zanzibar and the coast of Tanzania (40 or 50 miles of open water) I can email some picts if you want but have had no luck with post in picts on the forum.

You need to post your pictures onto a hosting site such as Photobucket. You can then post the url into here to link to them.

[Ouboet]

Thanx guys! Any info and/or photo's would be greatly appreciated. ouboet5746@gmail.com
I guess it is the type of adventure that one just start, and learn as you go?!?!

Hopefully within the next few months, I can supply photo's! I still do not know if I should buy the book, guess it can be a great addition to my library

Ouboet.

[Thad]

Sounds like a good book to have, especially with your project.

[devout]

Dagsê Ouboet!

Some pictures I took in when diving in Zanzibar around 2005 of dhow building on the beach. There are no plans, tape measures or power tools in sight. They build them by eye, right there in the open. The skills are handed over from generation to generation. Boat builders are highly respected on the island, as they should be.



These guys are selecting wood that grows in the shape of the floor timbers they require and shape them into their final form.



Here the stem, first few bottom planks and floor frames are in place.



Side frames going in, and planked to the chine. Side frames are also picked for the shape they grow in, and then shaped by hand. Because it is their "natural" shape they are stronger than sawn or laminated frames.



Planking is done. Note the flare along the sheer of the bow. These boats sail pretty dry. Also note how symmetrical the hull is, and no tape measures!



Look at that beautiful shape. These guys are artists. This dhow is about 11 metres (33 foot) and they told me they sell for about $15,000. That was 2005. I'm sure that is the price with "tourist mark-up" included. They probably sell for a lot less to locals. They were reluctant to let me take pics, but turned a lot friendlier when I showed them a picture of the boat I am building.

Cheers!
devout