You could say that the traditional dhow has been transformed a little for two reasons-
The first one being for dhow racing and the second for Dubais dhow cruise dinners that have become a famous tourist attraction in UAE.
Dhow racing is an age old tradition in Dubai. This particular sea-faring activity thrives on the team work of the group set to use the dhow. The dhows used today are not changed very much. Of course, dinner cruises in Dubai use distinctly modified ones for the satisfaction and ease of the tourist, but a racing dhow is only slightly different from the traditional boat.
The cloth used as the triangular sail is specially imported from Europe. This new fabric is much stronger than what was used previously. To balance the boat, early merchants would store their goods on the lowest deck of the dhow. Today, around 50 bags are placed inside in the same area to gain that balance during a race.
The shape of the dhow boat is also a tad bit different from the original shape. The bottom of the boat is now flat as compared to the old design. This aspect of the dhow has been modified to help the dhow be brought to shore much more effortlessly. This feature proves very handy not only for dhows used for racing, but also for the floating restaurants or the dhow dinner cruise in Dubai.
Dubais dhow companies like One World have everything thought through for the passengers who board the dhow. Since almost 90% of the tourists step aboard the dhow only once or twice in a life-time they feel the need to provide them with the best experience ever. Therefore various amenities and luxurious fittings have been implemented on a dhow cruise in Dubai. But boat tour companies take care to preserve the traditional feel of the wooden dhow in spite of the new adaptations.