Traghetto's are low fare gondolas that will simply take you straight across the Grand canal, which is the main water artery that carves through Venice. These are used mostly by the locals not near a bridge(bridges are few). They charge one Euro, I think. These Traghettos, are not nearly as ornate as the fleet of Gondolas that are rented by tourists(we've never taken one).

The Forcola, Paul, is the gracefully carved wooden rest you see mounted aft. The gondolier uses various points on it to, row - skull - back up. These boats are ingenious in what they can do in the tight canals. Truly form following ancient function.