Vernacular boats and boatbuilding in Greece

Abstract

This work presents a study of the vernacular boats of modern Greece. A new typology of boats is offered, and an account is given of tools and boatyard practice, design and construction techniques. Evidence for these subjects is drawn from field surveys, museum collections, iconographic studies, and interviews with old boatbuilders. Although most of the information presented comes from the first half of the 20th century, background information from the 18th and 19th centuries is also covered. This longer historical perspective is particularly important in making comparisons between 20th century practices and the boatbuilding techniques of the past. There is evidence for the existence of two main periods of technical change in the industry, namely, the late 18th century, when new methods such as lofting were introduced, and the late 19th century, when changes in the wider shipbuilding industry initiated a process of decline in vernacular boatbuilding. At the same time however, a number of older techniques, for example certain moulding methods, survived at least into the first part of the 20th century. This work offers new insights into the design methods involved in the control of hull-form during "skeletonfirst" boatbuilding from the last two hundred years. It also offers an analysis of the structural integrity and strength of vernacular boats and shows how the structure of boats has evolved across time to incorporate new techniques and changes in boat function.