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Traditional Arab sailboat (Sambuk)
The largest type of Arab sailboat, most commonly used as trading vessels in the Persian Gulf.
History
Grades 1 – 12
Keywords
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Scenes
Sambuk
Dhow is the generic name of a number of sailing vessels used on the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean. The origin of this type of vessels is not clear; it might have originated in China. Interestingly, the design of these boats has not changed much since the late Middle Ages. Dhows are traditionally built without plans, according to the calculations of the chief shipwright.
Dhows typically have one, two or three masts. Their long and slender hull is made of wood; making the boats fast and easy to manoeuvre. They were traditionally used in coastal trade, to transport heavy items such as fruit, fresh water or other typical merchandise of the region, to large distances.
The dhow has a symbolic significance: the Burj Al Arab, a luxury hotel located in Dubai, was designed to resemble the sail of a dhow; it also appears in the emblem of Kuwait.
Close-up
Construction
- lateen sail (settie sail)
- yard
- bow
- stem
- waterline
- hull
- keel
- rudder
- stern
- helm
- cannon
- mast
- parapet
- trapdoor
- anchor
The largest Arab sailboat, sambuk, is a type of dhow. It is typically used in the Persian Gulf, in pearl fishing. One of the most characteristic features of its hull is the sharp curve below the top of the stem and the teardrop shape of the hull below the waterline.
Sambuks are built with one, two or three masts. The triangular lateen sails are set on a long yard mounted at an angle on the mast. The sails are attached to the side of the hull by ropes. The largest sail is on the foremast.
Narration
Many different types of ships have been developed on the world’s seas. The design of the ships does not only depend on the geographical region, but also on the cultural environment. The sailing vessels typically used on the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea are generally called dhows. The origin of this type of vessel is not clear; some believe it has Arab origins, while others claim that it originated in China.
Dhows are traditionally built without plans, according to the calculations of the chief shipwright. They are constructed with a maximum of 3 masts and long, slender wooden hulls. Sambuks are one of the many types of dhow, the largest of traditional Arab sailboats. These fast and easily manoeuvrable vessels are traditionally used in coastal trade, to transport heavy items.
Interestingly, the design of these ships has not changed much since the late Middle Ages. One of their most characteristic features is the sharp curve below the top of the prow and the teardrop shape of the hull below the waterline. The characteristic, triangular lateen sails are set on long yards mounted at an angle on the masts. The largest sail is on the foremast.