The River Dhow

The river dhow is a long, narrow sailboat that has a very shallow draft, allowing it to transport people and goods along rivers that many other cargo vessels can not navigate. The river dhows are often equiped with suplimental oars for when the wind doesn't blow, or as additional propulsion when working against the river's current.
The dhow is distinguished by its shallow draft, and very small keel. The mast and lanteen sail is mounted far forward leaving most of the middle of the ship open for cargo. The aft of the ship usually has a small and low cabin, with the steersman standing on top of the cabin to handle the rudder, and at times the sculling oar. The cabin of most dhows hold a few hammocks for the crew, or paying passengers, as well as a small stove for heat and cooking. On larger dhows, crew will sleep on deck under a makeshift tent ,as well as many of the passengers.
Due to it's shallow draft and the capability of being sailed and rowed or sculled, dhow can pull into many riverside towns and villages that do not have deeper water ports. This makes then the idea vessels for most river journeys. However, these vessels do not do well on larger lakes or seas, as bad weather ro large waves can cause them to capsize quite easily.

Propulsion

River Dhows are sailboats, but they can also move by oars, and the smaller ones can often be sculled by a single oar at the stern of the boat.

Weapons & Armament

Most dhows are protected only by the weapons of their sailors. Very few carry any other type of weapon, although a small ballista could be mounted in the center of the larger vessels.

Price

2,000 silver

Rarity

Common

Beam

8 to 18 feet

Length

20 to 60 feet

Speed

2 knots

Complement / Crew

3 to 20