cabin21
October 3rd, 2012, 08:19 AM
What is a Gondola?
While gondolas are not the only type of boat used in the canals of Venice, they are the most well recognized. Gondolas are approximately 36 feet (11m) long and only 5 feet (1.5m) wide. Gondolas curve slightly to the right, rather than being symmetrical like most craft, to compensate for the fact that they are rowed with only one oar. This balance allows the gondola to travel in a straight path even though they are being rowed exclusively on the right side. The use of only one oar is a necessary design in the city of Venice, where the canals are quite thin and the traffic on the waterways can be quite dense. The ends of a gondola stick quite a ways out of the water as well, allowing the boat to be maneuvered quickly and precisely with a minimum expenditure of energy.
While gondolas are not the only type of boat used in the canals of Venice, they are the most well recognized. Gondolas are approximately 36 feet (11m) long and only 5 feet (1.5m) wide. Gondolas curve slightly to the right, rather than being symmetrical like most craft, to compensate for the fact that they are rowed with only one oar. This balance allows the gondola to travel in a straight path even though they are being rowed exclusively on the right side. The use of only one oar is a necessary design in the city of Venice, where the canals are quite thin and the traffic on the waterways can be quite dense. The ends of a gondola stick quite a ways out of the water as well, allowing the boat to be maneuvered quickly and precisely with a minimum expenditure of energy.