These are examples of a traditional method of sewn-boat construction (no nails) which is no longer carried out in Dhofar: the last person with this skill, died in the 1990’s, although a few still live in the Musandam. (Seminar of Arabian Studies 40)
Archæological evidence from the al-Balid site, of timbers re-used as building materials when boats were no longer sea worthy, indicate that this method of construction in Dhofar is very old.
All the materials come from the Coconut palm – wood, cordage & wadding, with a covering derived from fish oil. The tools used being saw, adze, chisel & hammer, along with a good eye for a straight line & curves – undoubtedly very accomplished carpenters.
David A Lockwood 
So sad to see these ancient crafts disappearing…all that knowledge lost…
Yes it is, so many craft skills seem to be getting forgotten under the guise of modernity. In this case it’s fibreglass boats.
Very interesting, thanks for sharing
Thanks -pleased you found it interesting.
Graceful poise in your images David….interesting history too.
It is a fascinating subject on how and when the first boats were constructed in this way here in Oman. The early dhow with a similar build was mostly imported from India and the technique adapted for fishing boats.
The other method for small canoe style craft, only used wooden nails and a lot of these can still be found, drawn up beached but abandoned for the glass-fibre things, originally provided as a replacement at a considerable subsidy by the government.
very interesting! Love the black and white photo.
Many thanks – I thought it gave a better indication of the boats construction than a colour image would.
Fascinating – never knew this – very neat sewing too. Thanks.
…
It is a method along with wooden ‘treenails’ that has also been used in Dhow construction for about 2000 years; makes them very flexible, but can limit sail size. Oman probably got this construction method from Kerala India.