Description

Until the advent of the sloop, pinnaces were the primary small craft of the Caribbean. Like the sloop, the pinnace is very fast, very maneuverable, and has a shallow draft that permits sailing in shoal waters. The fore-and-aft rigged pinnace carries oars, allowing it to move directly into the wind.

Pinnaces have made extremely successful pirate craft in the Caribbean. Though small in size and unable to stand much pounding in battle, the pinnace's speed and maneuverability (particularly in light winds) allows it to sail rings around stronger opponents, and its shallow draft lets it sail into places where larger ships dare not follow.

War Canoes are smaller versions of the Pinnace, and Mail Runners are somewhat larger variants.