Dhoni (fishing vessel)

A dhoni (also written as thoni or dhoney) is a traditional multi-purpose sailvessel with a motor or lateen sails that is used in the Maldives, South India and Sri Lanka.

[2] Another theory presupposes a Dravidian (Tamil-Malayalam) origin, derived from the root word tull meaning "to dig" because the early traditional dhonis were made from a scooped or dug out single log.

James Welsh, recounting his 40-year service in India, described doni:The Doney, or Tony, of the Eastern coast, is a large awkward vessel, and carries very heavy cargoes, even to the ports on the western shore of the Peninsula.

Nearly all of these are variants of the dhoni, a plank-built craft traditionally built with coconut timber, although imported wood from Southeast Asia is increasingly used.

[10] Although the addition of motors added fuel costs to operating expenses, it resulted in a doubling of the fishing catch between 1982 and 1985.