Fishing Craft Technology

Unit 1 - History and development of fishing craft

1.4.2. Fishing boats of Maharashtra
The physical and geographical features of northern Maharashtra up to Mumbai are similar to those of southern Gujarat. Southern Maharashtra has a rocky coast with sheltered bays, creeks and harbours. The following types of fishing boats are found in Maharashtra.

1) Bombay machwa (Karanja boat)

• Length 15 m, breadth 3-5 m and depth 1 m
• Long raking bow with great over hang and sheer. The actual keel is short in relation to the overall length.
• There are two masts, sails are of lateen type.

2) Satpati type (Gal boat)

• Length ranges from 10-15 m
• Carvel planking
• Medium pointed bow, broad stem, straight keel, high gunwale, and transom stern
• Used for gill netting

3) Bassein boat

• Long, straight, pointed fine entry bow with abrupt round stern
• Carvel planking
• Broad hull straight keel and average gunwale

4) Versova boat (Hoda)

• Arched keel, round stern and deep fore foot
• Stem less raked than Bassein boat, it resembles Bassein boat in other respects
• Aft deck is present but no fore deck
• Used for operation of dol nets.

5) Hodi (Toni)

• It is widened replicate of ordinary dugout, but built by planks
• Length varies from 7-10 m and breadth 0.75-3 m
• Single mast with lateen sail
• Stem and stern are curved like dugout
• A weather board about 30 cm high is fitted along the gunwale from the stem to just abaft the
• mast to keep out sea and spray.

6) Rathnagiri machwa

• Length 10 m, breadth 3 m and depth 1.15 m
• Broad beam, long over hanging bow, round stern and raked stem post
• Open boat with low free board, single mast lateen sail
• Used for deep sea gill net fishing

7) Rampini boat

• Length about 16 m
• Narrow keel, stem and stern
• No mast is carried as the boat is rowed
• Fitted with out riggers to give stability
• Used for operation of Rampini nets.

The Indian teak is commonly used for the construction of fishing boats in Maharashtra. The vessels are very sturdy. One of the distinguishing features of these boats is their long overhanging bow which gives these undecked boats a reserve buoyancy and spray deflection in rough water. The planks are joined by tongues and groove fitting.

Bombay machwas are operated from north of Mumbai as far as Jaigarh in the south. Satpati type is used up to Ratnagiri. Hodi is operated from Mumbai to Jaigarh, Ratnagiri machwas from Jaigarh to Karnataka border and Rampini boats in Southern Maharashtra and Northern Karnataka.