platbodem

Platbodem is a Dutch term for a flat-bottomed vessel type that has been used in the Netherlands and northern Germany since the medieval period. The design centers on a shallow, flat or gently rounded hull with a broad beam, giving a relatively large cargo space and stability in calm water. The combination of low draft and wide hull allowed access to rivers, canals, lakes and estuaries where deeper-keel ships could not sail.

Construction is typically wooden, with clinker-built planks or carvel construction. Many platbodems carry leeboards on the sides to improve sailing performance by reducing leeway, since the flat bottom lacks a deep keel. The rigs varied; common configurations included single-masted sloops, or two-masted layouts with lug or spritsails.

Historically platbodems fulfilled a range of practical roles: peat transport, inland cargo, fishing and passenger work. They were well suited to shallow Dutch waters and to be built with available timber, enabling relatively simple and economical construction. In the 19th and 20th centuries, deeper-keeled vessels and newer propulsion methods gradually replaced many platbodems in commercial service, but the design persisted in rural and estuarine areas and continued to be built for local use.

In modern times, traditional platbodems are preserved and sailed by enthusiast clubs and organizations. They are often seen in regattas and cultural heritage events that celebrate Dutch maritime history, and some boats are used for tourism and heritage education.