The Shipwright

Shell First, Clinker Built Hulls:
The term “keel” denotes ships which are built up from a keel, with over lapping planks running roughly horizontal between the stem and stern posts. This is the oldest form of hull for most vessels in Hârnic and Ivinian waters. Keels have been built by the peoples of Northwest Lýthia for over eight hundred years. Ivinian keels tend to be more streamlined than others who populate the rest of this region. Their vessels are not as streamlined and tend to be slower and less maneuverable as a result. The building process for this hull type is very labor intensive, uses large amounts of metal and timber, and tends to be expensive to operate due to the large crews required to operate the oars when they are not under sail.

Frame First, Caravel Built Hulls:
This hull type is the dominant style for the Venarian Sea . The construction process for this hull type is very different from that of a keel vessel. The term “caravel” denotes ships which are built skeleton-first and have their strakes flush-laid; in other words the edges do not overlap but are butted up against each other. It is believed that that this hull type was brought from the east, just as the venyn sail was, through contact with remnants of the ancient Mafani Empire by way of the Targan Empire; now the Dalkesh Empire. Prior to this the tribal groups and civilized peoples surrounding the Venarian Sea were constructing predominantly shell-first vessels using mortise and tenon flush-laid joints, sewn plank flush-laid joints and some clinker construction with inner ribs added after the shell was partially or fully built.

An Emergent Alternative Hull , the Dak:
This hull type made its first appearance in the Gulf of Shorkyne in the early 600’s TR. The construction process for this hull type is similar to that of a keel vessel with some exceptional differences; however, since a Dak only requires a sailing crew they are cheaper to operate than a similar sized keel vessel. The term “Dak” denotes shell-first vessels which are built up from a keel; however, their bottom consist of flush laid strakes while the remainder are laid in clinker fashion running roughly horizontally between the stem and stern posts. In the century that this hull type has been around, it has found significant favor as a stable long distance merchantman and as a stable fighting platform in naval engagements; the high sides providing protection from an attack and giving it an advantage in the attack.

The Emelrene Hull, the Hulc:
This hull type is a derivative of old Jarin shipbuilding practices. It is very similar to the clinker style mentioned above with a few exceptions. First it does not have a keel but an enlarged plank that acts as its keel. Second, the strakes, although laid in clinker fashion, are laid in reverse pattern. The style has been slowly going out of favor over the last century, with the Hulc being the last dedicated vessel to this method of construction. Emelrene shipwrights are now tending towards the Ivinian style of clinker construction or caravel construction; depending on the vessel type being built.