Special Report: Dhows specification

Specifications for 43 feet dhows:

Boat Hull (Haikal, Al Jasad or Al Badan): The length of the hull must not exceed 44 foot or be less than 43 foot. Al Saay wood (teak) with its different types is to be used in the construction of the hull. It is prohibited to use 'Al Wawi' - 'Al Marinti (compressed wood ).

The depth of the dhow should not exceed 3.5ft (applicable until end of '99). The 'Fils' should not exceed 36cm and measurements taken from the upper level of 'Al Fils' It is prohibited to paint the interior or exterior of the hull.It is prohibited to use fibreglass in the construction of the hull.

It is permissible to use "Al Apoxy"(fibreglass) to strengthen the interior of the hull (applicable until end of '99). It is permissible to varnish the dhow.The dhow should not weigh less than 2,200kg -including the hull and nonremovable parts - (applicable 22nd April 1999). It is prohibited to add weights to the original weight of the dhow.

The width of the hull should not be less than 10.5 ft and measurements to be taken from outside the 'Al Wajja' from Sour Al Dukal or the middle of the hull. Mast (Al Saari or Al Dukal): The length of the mast must be 34ft. It is preferable that all masts are to be made from wood (or any other material such as carbon or kevlar). Measurements must be taken from 'Alsij' to the "kab" of the mast.

Bowspit (Al Dastour): The length of the bowspit must not exceed 34 ft. It is preferable that all bowspits are to made from wood (or any other material such as carbon or Kevlar).
It is prohibited to use 'Al Tawanef'. The rear of the bowspit must not exceed the bowspit itself.
Boom (Al Farman): The length of the boom must not exceed 60 ft.

It is preferable that all boom are to be made from wood (It is permissible to use aluminium, carbon or kevlar). It is prohibited to use 'Al Nabasha' for the boom.

Specifications for 60-foot dhows:

All 60-foot dhow racing teams must comprise a minimum of 12 crew members. Half the crew must be UAE nationals, and the rest can be GCC nationals. The hull has to be 100 per cent wood. It is recommended that the mast be made of wood, though the usage of kevlar and carbon fibre are permitted.

Size of the mainsail: approximately 80 ft by 90 ft
Weight of mainsail spar: approximately 400 kg
Length of the mainsail spar: approximately 45 ft
Weight of each sandbag for ballast: approximately 20 kg
Models of dhows for the 60-ft race
Al Sambouq, Al Jalbut and Al Sama'a

Specifications of the 22 feet dhows:

It is recommended that the boats be made of all types of wood except plywood or compressed wood. In painting the dhow one is permitted to use apoxy both inside and outside. The use of fibreglass is not permitted. The weight of the dhow should not exceed 300 kgs (includes fixed materials). The dhow should be equipped with 2 oars. The size of the mast should be 18 feet (no fibreglass or kevlar or carbon. can use apoxy or wood)

'Al Dastour' 18 feet (bowspit or the long wooden pole jutting out at the front (made of wood and apoxy; no fibreglass; no kevlar; no carbon) Al farman 28 feet (the pole that carries the sail in the middle).