ARGO NAUTIX traditional rhine ship Cologne Oberlaender 1531 Free 3D model

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The Oberlander is a basic type of the Middle Rhine ship that dominated from the 15th up to the 18th century, primarily sailing between Mainz and Cologne. Its unique shape caters specifically to the local waterways' requirements and navigation channels. The floor plan features a distinctive trapezoidal shape. Measuring from bottom to top, the width expands to its maximum in the hull, and narrows down by 1.5 to 2 times towards the rear. The flat floor gradually rises towards the stern, culminating in a substantial hut reaching heights of approximately 6-7 meters, and then suddenly drops off steeply to the deck level. From bow to stern, the deck maintains its width consistently, with a flat surface sloping gently downward towards the front. However, this visual illusion of heaviness is deceiving; actually, top and bottom meet at an angle as low as 10 degrees. The substantial mast stands approximately 6-7 meters high, exclusively utilized for towing purposes. The capacity of these ships likely ranged from around 100 to 120 tons. Noticeably, the round window flushes with the upper planking layer, thus eliminating any transition board presence. Alongside the stern sections halfway up, two gangways protrude - a feature critical in accommodating social gatherings, serving essentially as boating venues. The Oberlanders predominantly occupied mooring spots around Bonn-Beuel and, to some extent, at the Vilzbacher shipyard in Mainz. Typically, after usage, these vessels were either reemployed once or twice before their eventual disassembly for the extraction of wood meant for construction purposes - often resulting in their ultimate demise for such practical reasons.