boat

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boat Vehicle for passenger and freight transport by water. Today, it usually refers to a craft that can be removed from the water – a larger vessel is called a ship. The first boats, made in prehistoric times, included rafts, hollowed-out logs and vessels made from plaited reeds. Among the first maritime peoples were the Phoenicians. They built fleets of galleys, propelled by sails and oars, for their extensive trading in the Mediterranean and adjoining areas. The later Viking long-boats, also square-sailed, were slimmer and speedier. Lateen (triangular) sails were probably imported from the Persian Gulf and introduced to the West by the empire-building Arabs. Modern boats include sailing vessels, used mainly for pleasure, motorboats, and launches.

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