A highly specialized, flat-bottomed wooden boat traditionally used for passenger transport in the shallow canals of Venice. It is built with an asymmetrical hull to counteract the turning force of the single oar operated by a standing oarsman at the stern. The distinct high metal prow, called a ferro, acts as a counterweight to the oarsman and helps gauge bridge clearances.
Heard on the job
The hull of a traditional gondola is built with a slight curve to the right to balance the thrust of the single sweep.
Insider tip
True Venetian gondolas are built with a deliberate asymmetry, making the left side wider than the right to ensure the boat tracks straight under a single oar.