I'm afraid that other than mentioning that the sailing and shipbuilding traditions (whether for trade, fishing, pearl diving, military vessels, etc) are going to be markedly different depending on whether you're talking about Persian Gulf Dhows, Nile Falookas or Ottoman galleys and galliots, etc, that I'm not going to be able to be of much help.

While others here might be more knowledgeable, and though I've never posted there, it's possible someone in a sub like /r/sailing might be better read on this and might be worth a cross post if it's allowed in their rules.