The Caravel Sail is a sail that evolved from Lateen Sails both of which have strong Austronesian influences.
Yes — there is strong circumstantial and structural evidence that the caravel sails of the Portuguese, especially their lateen rigging, were influenced by earlier Austronesian sailing technology, particularly the crab-claw sail used on paraw and proa vessels.
Let’s break this down:
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🔹 1. Portuguese Caravel and Lateen Sails
The caravel (15th century) was the main exploration ship of Portugal during the Age of Discovery.
It used lateen sails (triangular sails on angled masts), which allowed it to tack against the wind, unlike square-rigged European ships.
This innovation was critical for long-distance ocean voyages, including to India, Africa, and later Asia and the Philippines.
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🔹 2. Austronesian Crab-Claw Sails — The Original Triangular Sails
Austronesians had already been using crab-claw sails for over 3,000 years before the caravel.
These sails were highly efficient, capable of upwind sailing, speed, and maneuverability.
Found in:
Philippine paraw
Indonesian prahu
Micronesian proa
The mast was often tilted forward, similar to the lateen sail structure.
Yes — there is strong circumstantial and structural evidence that the caravel sails of the Portuguese, especially their lateen rigging, were influenced by earlier Austronesian sailing technology, particularly the crab-claw sail used on paraw and proa vessels.
Let’s break this down:
---
🔹 1. Portuguese Caravel and Lateen Sails
The caravel (15th century) was the main exploration ship of Portugal during the Age of Discovery.
It used lateen sails (triangular sails on angled masts), which allowed it to tack against the wind, unlike square-rigged European ships.
This innovation was critical for long-distance ocean voyages, including to India, Africa, and later Asia and the Philippines.
---
🔹 2. Austronesian Crab-Claw Sails — The Original Triangular Sails
Austronesians had already been using crab-claw sails for over 3,000 years before the caravel.
These sails were highly efficient, capable of upwind sailing, speed, and maneuverability.
Found in:
Philippine paraw
Indonesian prahu
Micronesian proa
The mast was often tilted forward, similar to the lateen sail structure.
by Cyclonetrading July 28, 2025
Get the Caravel Sailmug. a bullish mast & sail, invented by Theodicy in 2021, is found by a identifying a massive green candled centered in between ascending bottoms and tops left to right
by Theodicy_sandman July 5, 2021
Get the Bullish Mast & Sailmug. The act of going from one garage sale to the next, to the next, to the next, and so on and so forth. Taking a day or a weekend or a few hours to desperately search for other people’s junk.
Me and Fred are going garage sailing this weekend you should join us, we’re too broke to go to the store....
by Descriptiongiver101 August 16, 2019
Get the GARAGE SAILINGmug. While getting a handie from your girlfriend while laying on your back inverted (like being on a decline bench at the gym) and she has you edged to the point of cumming but immediately water boards you and you don't know if you are gonna cum or die.
Last night was amazing. Angie ship sailed me to the point of climax. I didn't think I was gonna survive.
by Shtevun 69 June 29, 2017
Get the ship sailedmug. saile or elias backwards means a friend who is always capable to make you smile. he is attentive and sweet and appears so physically as well ! he will listen to your yaps and remember small details that you yourself probably dont recall saying. he is amazing all the way and the textbook definition of kindness. (he can also be blunt and will stand up for his friends if ever needed. just an overall awesome unit of a guy)
by nyoombabie December 30, 2023
Get the sailemug. “Hey should I jump off this bridge dude?” “Oh hell yeah full sails!”
“See ya later!”
“Hey yeah full sails man have a good day”
“See ya later!”
“Hey yeah full sails man have a good day”
by Fullsailsbrah June 4, 2019
Get the Full sailsmug. 1. Extremely impressive or awe-inspiring.
2. Having a high level of commitment to something you are passionate about.
3. Giving one's absolute best, putting in the work and staying focused.
Synonym: balls out
Antonym: mid
2. Having a high level of commitment to something you are passionate about.
3. Giving one's absolute best, putting in the work and staying focused.
Synonym: balls out
Antonym: mid
We're going full sail on the marketing project with an increased budget and specialists.
Have you seen Jack's new gaming set up? It's full sail.
Have you seen Jack's new gaming set up? It's full sail.
by Nora West September 22, 2023
Get the Full Sailmug.