Topo
The topo (literally meaning “rat” in Italian) was a boat usually used for transport and fishing. It is a lagoon and coastal boat whose hull ranges from six to fourteen meters long. Its length is determined by what its intended use is. It has a flat bottom, a bow stem that curves forward. It is a sailboat with a large rudder in the rear for steering.
The topo is unique because of the position of its sail; the mast is located about one third of the way along the length of the hull. The Venetian waterways tend to become very shallow during low tides, particularly the smaller canals. In order to travel through these shallow waters, the topo was built with the ability to lift its deep rudder and lock it in an upward position, thus preventing the rudder hitting the bottom of the canal.
A final feature of the topo is the hollowed-out storage compartment in the hull, which allows the fisherman to store his catch in a cool, wet place during transport back to land.
Only a few traditional topi remain today. These last topi are used as pleasure boats. Nowadays, many of these boats are motorized, the moto-topi, and are used for the transport of goods.
Damage and Preservation
For information pertaining to the damage of traditional Venetian boats, please see the Damage to public art page.
For information pertaining to the preservation of traditional Venetian boats, please see the Restoration and Preservation of Public Art page.
External Links
References
- The Boats of Venice. Venezia: Libreria Editrice, 1999. Print.
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