Although many batana subtypes do not have a keel (kolómba), it is considered as the main structural part of boats and ships. Its role in flat-bottomed boats like batana is taken over by the bottom and bilge planks that hold the timbers in place longitudinally. We decided to mount it because of the better hydrodynamic properties, which could be appreciated especially when making turns. Its fabrication wasn't so effortful as we thought at the beginning, but was much more difficult to find a perfectly straight dimensional lumber without knots.
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| Planing the keel until the line marked in a previous stage. |
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| View on a frontal part of the keel where the stempost is positioned. |
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| Checking the joining surfaces between stempost and keel. |
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| Drilling holes for bolts which join timbers to the keel. |
