Dhow yards of Ras al Khaimah

The dhow yards of Ras al Khaimah are still very active, though not all the construction involves the tradtional fishing and shipping dhows. Today, the order of the day appears to be specialization.

One of the dhow yards has been converted to the construction and restoration of racing dhows, those sleek, slick and fast small craft that are raced along the corniches of Dubai and Abu Dhabi. These exquisitely crafted dhows come in several sizes -- 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 rowers -- and all the components are constructed in the yard, from the hull to the oars.

A few meters away, monstrous dhows, known as booms, are constructed. The scale of the craft is a shock for many visitors; the huge dhow resembles the ark of Biblical fame! Each boom takes a year or more to construct. The size of each component is staggering. The Al Ain group have visited the site when all that exists of the boom is the keelboard. Other times, as when Phil and Brien visited the site, the engine was being fitted and the putty was being applied.

Proud owners smile in the background as a craftsman winds old fish netting on one of the oars	The fish netting protects the oar where it pivots against the gunnel	The yard is filled with dhows at various stages of construction; varnishing takes several weeks	A collection of oars, some fitted with netting, others waiting their turn
The finished oars alongside the omnipresent cup of tea	One of the racing dhows in the final stages of construction; numerous coats of varnish are applied to the hull till it is like glass	This dhow was reduced to its keelboard for reconstruction	Oars and dhow
The interior of each is sparse	Great care is taken through each stage of construction or restoration	One of the finished dhows loaded on a trailer	Putty filled screw holes beneath numerous layers of varnish
Varnish is applied, allowed to harden, then sanded down to prepare for the next coat	Modern tools -- band saw, polishers, planing machines, grinders -- are used in the construction process	Brien inspects the fine workmanship	Fishing line appears the main ingredient in the construction of each oar
By contrast, early work shows the rough boards used to construct the hull	The simple but efficient rudder board	First view of a stunning boom	The stern of the boom; the workman and truck below provide scale
Close up of the putty filled nails and bolts	A combination of modern bolts and hand forged nails are used in the construction	The skill of the craftsmen is evident as the gap between timbers is minimal	Looking up the hull from the keel
The interior showing the maze of ribs and interior planking	A close up that shows the thickness of the timbers and the packing hammered between the timbers	A view from down the beach	Old fishing dhows beached in the dhow yards
A view of the bow of the boom	The dockyard is littered with old fishing boats and dhows	Head on view of the bow	Detail of one of the abandoned small fishing boats
The other side of the boom	View of the side of the hull; note how some timbers are fitted together	The hull of this abandoned fishing boat shows the same construction techniques	A massive timber being prepared; wood is imported from Malaysia
A view near the bow of the boom	A pivot bracket fitted on the timber	Workmen hammering the packing between the exterior planking	The propeller
The diesel engine	Note the steel 'I" beam used in today's boom