This poster deals with some comparative cases study on the architecture of the coasters sailing between the gulf of lion and the Ligurian sea. The goal is to examine several regional vessel types known from historical or archaeological sources in order to describe their characteristics and identify the adaptations to their environment and to the local societies that built them. These cases studies may allow us to enlighten some links that can be existing between different types of boats through time, depending on a transformation of practices, wars, or migrations of population. To illustrate this point, we will present different cases spread along the coast of this north western Mediterranean basin.