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:
---
🔹 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.
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. by Snake Lovin’ Gurl January 18, 2018
Get the Sex sailsmug. Oi mate I jusy joined the Sail Hypixel Guild, it's got lots of active, friendly members and it has decently low requirements, aswell as a decently high level!
by SailorStifi April 14, 2022
Get the Sail Hypixel Guildmug. by Randwulf0969 June 24, 2023
Get the Tag Sailingmug. Here's a sentence using "sail close to the wind":
The politician's campaign ads sailed close to the wind with their negative attacks on the opponent.
The politician's campaign ads sailed close to the wind with their negative attacks on the opponent.
by Arminkshipper July 25, 2024
Get the Sail close to the windmug. When a breeze kicks up and your umbrella becomes either uncontrollable, inverts itself in your hands, or flies from your grip.
Synonyms: urban kite, umbrella sail, umbrella kite
Synonyms: urban kite, umbrella sail, umbrella kite
"Umbrellas are a pain in the ass. Sure, they protect your head and shoulders from the rain, but the second the slightest breeze kicks up, you suddenly find yourself the unwitting mast for an urban sail that, best case scenario, inverts itself in your hands, and worst case scenario, flies from your grip, whips down the street and spears the Pope in the neck." - Tracy V.
Source: Cracked.com, Tracy V. (Invictus99)
Source: Cracked.com, Tracy V. (Invictus99)
by notfeelingcreative June 4, 2014
Get the Urban Sailmug. 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.