Longships, used by the Vikings from the 8th to 11th centuries, differ from modern boats primarily in their design and purpose. They were long, narrow vessels with a shallow draught, allowing for speed and maneuverability in both open seas and shallow rivers. Unlike many contemporary boats, which often prioritize comfort and stability, longships were built for raiding, trading, and exploration, featuring a single sail and multiple oars for propulsion. Additionally, their clinker-built construction, characterized by overlapping planks, contrasts with the more uniform hull designs seen in today's boats.
The Vikings used longboats to cross the seas.
Raiding and war
The Viking longboats were long, open boats that had many sets of oars used to row the ships close to shore, or in calm winds. They used large square sails for long voyages.
They used the longships for battles. The longship was the strongest weapon the vikings had. The Viking long ships had no front or back, so it was easy to maneuver.
the longship was used for raiding and the knarr was used as a cargo ship.
the vikings used longships :)
sailing
The Vikings used longboats to cross the seas.
Longships and Merchant ships are the 2 major classes with other boats in those classes.1) Longship: A racing warship2) Merchant ship or Knorr: cargo boats built to carry men, animals & suppliesHowever, unfortunately the names of these vessels were not documented. I like to refer to them as the "titanic's of the rivers". This name represnts their flaws for being a very sinkable boat.I found a drakkar which was used for war and called that because of a dragon at the head of the boat.And the Knorr which was used mainly for carrying cargo.This is not just a simple answer -- the type and size of boat fit the need and type of body of water to cross. Actually there were several subtypes of Viking longships and cargo vessels. They were all of the same basic design; the karves or knarrs or knorrs were long and heavy and could be used on raids also -- depending on the number of men in the invasion party or the size of the waterway to be crossed. To cross the north Atlantic to Greenland, larger boats were used or to invade across the rough North Sea to what is today England, larger boats were used. To go down rivers or shallow inlets (as the Vikings raided down into what is today Russia [ Rus -- meaning red or fair haired -- Viking] and Ukraine on rivers), boats like the typical shallow-draft longships were used. All could be used if necessary to carry men, cargo, animals. Also the north Germanic and Frisian tribes had boats that were similar to those of the Vikings.
Raiding and war
we use a moter
Longships and knarr were both types of ships used by the Vikings, but they served different purposes. Longships were sleek and fast vessels designed for raiding and warfare, featuring a shallow draft that allowed them to navigate rivers and approach shorelines easily. In contrast, knarrs were broader, sturdier ships built primarily for trade and cargo transport, capable of carrying heavier loads over longer distances but not as agile as longships. Their designs reflect their specific uses: longships for speed and maneuverability, and knarrs for capacity and stability.
The vikings had several types of boats that had different designs. The design of the boat is based on what the boat was used for. The most popular and most depicted viking ship was the longship. These vessels were meant to carry troops across the ocean.
The Viking longboats were long, open boats that had many sets of oars used to row the ships close to shore, or in calm winds. They used large square sails for long voyages.
They used the longships for battles. The longship was the strongest weapon the vikings had. The Viking long ships had no front or back, so it was easy to maneuver.
Boats in ancient times were often named after their purpose, local legends, or deities. For example, Egyptian boats were called "barks," while the Greeks used terms like "trireme" for their warships. Viking longships were commonly referred to as "knarr" or "drakkar." Names could also reflect the craftsmanship or the owner’s lineage, emphasizing the cultural significance of the vessel.
Two other names for a longboat are a "longship" and a "dragon boat." Longships were historically used by the Vikings for exploration and warfare, while dragon boats are modern racing vessels inspired by traditional Chinese designs.