The Poon appeared in the nineteenth century in Zeeland, but also in South Holland. The tonnage was usually between 30 and 70 tons. Most Poons were built on shipyards in South Holland and West Brabant. They were mainly wooden ships. And the question is, were there any iron Poons built? Some Paviljoentjalken and -Schuiten do have characteristics of the Poon and this makes it sometimes difficult to determine if you are dealing with a Poon or a South Holland Tjalk. Also, some names may be based on pure tradition and the names in the possible shipyard records. In many cases, there are hardly any differences between the two types, although it is suggested that a Poon has no standing lines. This criterion is also of relative value, as there are also examples of South Holland Tjalken or - Schuiten that have no standing lines. No standing lines means that all lines have a roundness; a ruler can be placed along straight lines. All in all, some Schuiten could be called a Poon and the designation Schuit or Tjalk for a Poon could also be the correct name.
Characteristics that are said to be typical for the Poon are: the high steep bow that falls back slightly at the top and points towards the hommer, the high head and the rising aft with the elevated pavilion deck; often the pavilion also had square windows in the bulwark. The larger width than a Dutch Tjalk is also said to be typical for the iron Poon. Poons were generally equipped with a Belgian, round hatch cover. Poons were intended for sailing on the Zeeuwse and South Holland sea arms and were less suitable for canal navigation.
In terms of shape, the Otter, a tjalk-like ship type, which was built in Flanders, is related to the Poon. The ships were mainly made of wood, but there are also some iron examples.
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