The Vikings and their longboats

Vikings used fast, narrow boats called longboats for trading and raiding. Longboats had oars, sails, and were both strong and flexible, allowing them to withstand strong waves. Longboats had flat bottoms, allowing them to sail through shallow water and rivers when the tide was high. Longboats were often used for raiding and the sailors on board would hang their shields over the sides of the boat. Viking boats were light and fast, they could even be carried short distances over land to other rivers.