The Otter a small, narrowed “Pleit”, from 16 to 30 metres long (see DEHEM, p. 507); 4 metres beam; draught of water loaded from 1.70 m. to 2.20 m.; generally, 1.80 m. Its capacity varied from 70 to 180 tons.
The “Otter” had a “statie” and carried the ordinary fore and aft rig mast, and a small jigger mast set in the “statie” often completed the outfit.
“Schuiten” which correspond to the Dutch “Schuiten” are still met with on the Scheldt alongside of the “Pleiten” and the “Otter”. This type of vessels is just as different from the “Otter” as our “Schuit” is from the “Hoy”. DEHEM is, therefore, mistaken when he says, in his work mentioned above (p. 507): “The Schuit is an ‘Otter’ of smaller size....”
The “Pleiten” like the “Otters” are often met with in the Netherlands.
If the boats of the West of Belgium thus show the same characteristics as those of our own country, it will be the same for those of East Friesland.
THE MOT.
The “Motten” replace the “Hoys” in East Friesland. They are divided into: Buiten Motten, Binnen Motten and Spitsche Motten.
These boats have the same shape as those of the last two categories considered; they differ only in size.