The gondolier stands on the stern facing the bow and rows with a forward stroke, followed by a compensating backward stroke. The latter is necessary, because the asymmetric design means the boat naturally veers to the right. The oar rests in an elaborately carved wooden rest or forcola; shaped to project from the side of the craft so as to allow the slight drag of each return stroke, to pull the bow back to its forward course. The vessel’s flat bottom allows it to be “drifted” sideways when required.
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