Scale: circa 1:12. A model of a Masula surf boat made entirely in wood which has been varnished. The hull is deep sided, flat bottomed, carvel built, and double ended. There is no keel but the heavy stern and stem posts protrude below the bottom of the keel plank. It is built without frames and lateral strength is derived from eight transverse beams of varying thicknesses which protrude the top strake. The planks are sewn together with a stitching method consisting of prominent vertical stitching outboard and criss-crossed stitching over bands of caulking fibre inboard. There is a small stern deck. The model is equipped with eight oars of slightly varying lengths, all of which have spear shaped blades, and a steering oar.


Masula surf boats were formerly used for cargo carrying in the open roadsteads off the Madras coast and latterly Pondicherry and Karikal. This type of craft was used to transport cargo and passengers from ship to shore. The surf could be up to 3m in height but these boats were rarely damaged due to the flexibility of the sewn construction. They were rowed by oarsmen perching on the crossbeams and the small stern-deck provides a platform for the steersman. The heavy stem and stern posts provided a fulcrum on which the boat could be swung for beaching and launching.