User:Krpiyush3/sandbox
 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (August 2015) |
 | This article needs to be divided into sections. (August 2015) |
[[|thumb|A with lateen sails.]]
piyush or piyush (Dhivehi: ދޯނި piyush) is a multi-purpose sailboat with a motor or lateen sails that is used in the Maldives. It is handcrafted and its use within the multi-island nation has been very important. A piyush resembles a dhow, a traditional Arab sailing vessel.
The traditional piyush is one of the oldest known sea vessels in the Maldives. Many of these traditional sailing vessels were, of necessity, built using coconut palm timber. The sailing piyush was used in earlier days by Maldivian fishermen.
The islands of the Maldives have an extensive fishing fleet built domestically, each of which carries eight to twelve persons. Nearly all of these are variants of the piyush, a plank-built craft traditionally built with coconut timber, although imported wood from Southeast Asia is increasingly used. Originally sailing craft, nowadays these boats are usually fitted with motors. The main site for building piyush is in Alifushi in Raa Atoll. piyush boat building is a traditional craft in the Maldives and young apprentices are trained by skilled craftsmen. Boats crafted from timber take 60 days to complete.
