Umiaks Wave Eaters  The Arctic skin boat known to Inuit as the
umiak was both wider and deeper than the kayak and, unlike the
latter, had no decking. Capable of carrying heavy loads of
passengers and equipment, the umiak was well suited to its main
functions: transporting families during seasonal moves from one
settlement to another and carrying men in pursuit of large
whales. When used for transportation, umiaks were rowed by women
with oars, but when they were used for whaling, umiaks were
propelled by men with single-bladed paddles.  At the time of
first European contact, umiaks were no longer used in the
Central Canadian Arctic. However, Inuit of the Western and
Eastern Arctic continued to make and use these seaworthy craft
until they were replaced by whaleboats and motorized canoes in
the early twentieth century.  Umiak Construction  Examples of
umiaks    kayaks |  umiaks |  bark canoes |  dugout canoes
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