Dhow (ETW unit)
| Dhow | |
|---|---|
| |
| Range: | 500 |
| Accuracy: | 40 |
| Reloading skill: | 30 |
| Hull strength: | 904 |
| Speed: | 16 |
| Maneuverability: | Low |
| Morale: | 6 |
| Turns to build: | 2 |
| Recruitment cost: | 500 |
| Upkeep cost: | 50 |
| Requires | |
| Building (minimum level) | |
 Trading Port | |
A dhow is a traditional Arab sailing vessel, rigged with a lateen sail. Although an ancient design, it is an efficient and handy craft, particularly for coastal work – and pirates!
The design of the dhow has remained unchanged over hundreds of years; it simply doesn’t need to be improved. Used throughout the Arab world as trading boats, pirates also favour them because of their good handling, and relatively high speed. That said, the design may well be Indian in origin, later adopted by Arab seafarers. A well-handled dhow has the advantage over many European rigged ships, in that it can stay out of the firing footprint of most lumbering ships and yet is quick enough to be able to escape in even the lightest of breezes.
The lateen (or triangular) sail is also ancient design. It is not, however, perfect for all conditions. The canted lateen yardarm is difficult to handle in stormy conditions with a small crew. This may explain why the sailing rig is favoured in the Mediterranean, the Red Sea and around the Arabian peninsular rather than the Atlantic. The construction method of stitching the planks together is a unique feature of the dhow.
Historically, Europeans tended to use the term “dhow” indiscriminately to mean any vessel rigged with lateen sails. An Arab sailor would make a much finer distinction, based on the hull configuration.
Available for:
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