Caravel

A caravel is a small, highly maneuverable sailing ship developed in the 15th century by the Portuguese to explore along the West African coast and into the Atlantic Ocean. 

The lateen sails gave her speed and the capacity for sailing to windward. 

Caravels were much used by the Portuguese for the oceanic exploration voyages during the 15th and 16th centuries in the age of discovery.

Size

 Due to its lighter weight and thus greater speed,Due to its lighter weight and thus greater speed, the caravel was a boon to sailors. Early caravels generally carried two or three masts with lateen sails, while later types had four masts. Early caravels such as the caravela tilhada of the 15th century had an average length of between 12 and 18 m , an average capacity of 40 to 50 tons, a high length-to-beam ratio of around 3.5 to 1, and narrow ellipsoidal frame.making them very fast and maneuverable but with somewhat low capacity.