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whaleboat
whaleboat Whaleboat on display at Mystic Seaport, Stonington, Conn.

whaleboat

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History

whaleboat, light, swift, rowing and sailing boat fitted with a centreboard (retractable keel), initially developed for use by whaling crews and now used more generally. Its double-ended, broad-beamed design is reminiscent of the old Viking boats; in time carvel-constructed whaleboats superseded clinker-built (lapstrake) vessels. The whaleboat’s superior handling characteristics soon made it a popular general-purpose ship’s boat, and it now often serves as a cutter or gig.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Amy Tikkanen.