Coracle Boats

Description

Coracles are small boats often used to fit only a single person. Most of the time they are powered by oars.

Coracles are popular because they require very little depth in the water to be able to pass through it. This occurs because the weight of the person piloting the coracle is spread throughout most of the craft. Since they are so small they can easily be carried by a single person when it is out of the water. This makes it ideal for fisherman who may be travelling in and out of the water frequently.

In the past willow rods were woven together to form the structure of a coracle. Animal hide was then stretched across the bottom of it. Often, tar was spread over the hide to ensure that water could not enter the craft.