sembut

Sembut refers to a type of small, fast-sailing traditional boat found in parts of Southeast Asia, particularly the Indonesian archipelago. These boats are typically characterized by their narrow hull, shallow draft, and often a single sail. Historically, sembut boats were widely used for local transportation, fishing, and small-scale trade between islands. Their design allowed them to navigate shallow waters and reach areas inaccessible to larger vessels.

The construction of a sembut boat usually involves local hardwoods and traditional boat-building techniques passed down through generations. The sail is often a crab claw sail or a simple triangular sail, providing efficient propulsion with favorable winds. While their prevalence has diminished with the advent of modern motorized boats, sembut remain a part of the maritime heritage of certain coastal communities. They are sometimes still utilized by fishermen or as a means of preserving cultural traditions. The term "sembut" itself can vary in meaning or specific boat type depending on the precise region and local dialect.