Vietnam Wooden Boat Foundation

Sewn Plank Boat Building Project

March-April 2004, Dong Ha, Quang Tri Province

Page 1 (go to page 2 showing the completed construction)

( The "sewn plank" boat was built in central Vietnam up through the 60's and early 70's. As with all traditional boats built in Vietnam, the boat builders had no boat drawings to build the boats with, rather a knowledge and skill handed down from generation to generation. This boat type was a high maintenance boat, could not tolerate the vibrations of engines and therefore was used primarily in inland waterways for people and cargo transport. Depending on the size and use, these boats were sometimes fitted with a sail. The boat shown below and on a following page is the only known replica of this boat in existence.) (Click on the pictures below to enlarge picture) (Click here to see pictures of old sewn plank boats)

Plank shape is drawn. There were no boat drawings, it was based on passed-down skill.	Planks are hand sawed.	Plank edges are then beveled.
This is 1/2 of the boat's bottom plank being heated in order to bend it.	The bottom and side planks are in two parts joined in a tightly fitted joint.	All tools used were hand tools with one exception: an electric drill was used for drilling of holes.
The joints were sealed with a soft bark which swells when exposed to the water.	One of the heated ends is prepared for bending.	The elderly boatbuilders have not seen a camcorder.
Both ends of the bottom plank are under stress to form a gentle curve.	Mr. Quang Le hand sharpens his saw.	Bottom and first saide planks are laid out and drilled with matching holes for sewing.
Checking the line-up.	Side planks are held in place for sewing by a system of twisted cable.	Bundles of soft bark are covered with bamboo strips and then sewn together with rattan strips.
Each pairing of holes are used to join planks with a multiple-looped rattan strip.	The rattan loops are wrapped with a thinner rattan strip.
Mr. Quang Le enjoys this boat building venture.	As the sewing progresses the twisted cables are moved along to hold the planks tightly together.	Bottom and first side planks are progressing.
	Shim pieces are placed in the joint-line to tighten up the sewing.	The shim pieces will also provide some protection to the joint structure.
	Work starts on securing the top plank.	Getting ready to sew on the fifth and last major plank.