Arab Single-Masted Sailboat

Timeline

1. 801–1100Persian Gulf and Oman · Persian GulfArab and Persian shipwrights in the Persian Gulf and Oman developed a single-masted lateen-rigged dhow tradition, with hulls stitched with coconut fiber or fastened with iron nails, adapted to the back-and-forth sailing patterns of the Red Sea and Indian Ocean monsoon systems.
2. 1185Indian Ocean routes · East AfricaIn the 1180s, dhows traveled with the southwest and northeast monsoons between Gujarat, the Malabar Coast, Zanzibar, and Arab ports, together with Song-dynasty Chinese merchant ships and Southeast Asian sailboats forming a transoceanic trade network.
3. 1501–1900Swahili Coast of East Africa · Swahili CoastAfter the Portuguese entered the Indian Ocean, dhow trade was disrupted but continued to operate, especially maintaining regional shipping and fishing uses along the East African and Red Sea coasts, with the vessel form persisting in local traditions.