The Pinnace: A Small Sailing Vessel with a Rich History

A pinnace is a small, light sailing vessel with a single mast and a triangular sail. It was used in the 16th to 18th centuries for coastal navigation and as a tender or escort vessel for larger ships. The word "pinnace" comes from the Latin "pinna," meaning "feather," likely due to the shape of the sail.

Pinnaces were typically between 20 and 40 feet (6 to 12 meters) long and had a shallow draft, making them well-suited for navigating shallow waters and coastal areas. They were often used for fishing, trade, and exploration, as well as for military purposes such as patrolling coastlines and escorting larger vessels.

Today, the term "pinnace" is still used to refer to small sailboats with a single mast and a triangular sail, although they are no longer used for commercial or military purposes. Instead, they are primarily used for recreational sailing and racing.