This is the first report of technical trials conducted in India of four beachcraft prototypes designed for India’s east coastfisheries. The trials were held in May-June 1980 in Ennore, 20 kilometres north of Madras, under the auspices of the Bay of Bengal Programme, in cooperation with the Governments of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.

The report briefly discusses the limitations of traditional craft operating on India’s surf-beaten east coast and the desirability of developing new types of craft with greater carrying capacity and productivity. It discusses the additional considerations — as regards such matters as the shape of the boat, the construction material, the systems of surf-crossing and beachianding —that must weigh in the design of surfboats. It describes in words and pictures the four prototypes tested in Ennore, the conduct of the trials and the findings they yielded.

The trials covered only surf-crossing and beachlanding. Of the four prototypes, two — considered the most promising — were selected for intensive fishing trials. The report sets down the relative merits of the four prototypes.

The report may serve to keep governments, development agencies and boatbuilders informed about the progress of development of beachcraft. It may also be of interest to small-scale fisheries planners in general.

The prototypes were built at Aquamarine (P) Limited, Madras; Indian Seacraft, Madras, and the Andhra Pradesh Fisheries Corporation Boatyard at Kakinada. Diesel engines were supplied by Greaves Lombardini Limited, Madras.