Varanasi Boatyards

 In Varanasi there are all manner of old wooden boats working the river. Primarily used in the passenger sightseeing trade, they vary from over capacity ferries shuttling between banks, to small passenger row boats plying the ghats. For the benefit of my boat building friends, I’ve taken a few photographs highlighting some of the more unusual construction and repair techniques.

A heavy coat of tar on burlap was applied to the hull before nailing tin strips.

Presumeably a fresh coat of brightly colored paint will finish the job.

Applying tar to waterproof seam with your hands is an age old method.

Constructing the hull planks without first assembling a skeleton of symmetrical ribs

is a rarely used, somewhat archaic boat building method, interesting to see.

A repair operation underway with a detail photograph of the nailing method joining hull planks.

The paint shop workers applying new paint only from the waterline up.

Ready for restoration.