Caravel

ships · exploration · age-of-discovery · sailing

Built for speed. Caravels were small but incredibly fast ships that could sail into the wind better than most other boats of the time. This made them perfect for exploring unknown oceans where captains needed to change direction quickly.

Portuguese invention. The caravel developed from fishing boats used in Galicia and Portugal along the Atlantic coast. Portuguese sailors improved the design until it became the ultimate exploration ship.

Smart sail system. A caravel could use two different types of sails: triangular lateen sails or a mix of lateen and square sails. This flexible design let sailors adjust to different winds and ocean conditions.

Explorer's favorite. During the Age of Exploration in the 1400s and 1500s, Portuguese and Spanish explorers chose caravels for their long voyages to Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Famous explorers like Christopher Columbus and Vasco da Gama likely sailed in caravels or similar ships.