Sailing

• The Vikings adapted to Scandinavia's many bodies of water by developing strong shipbuilding and sailing skills. Viking ships varied in size and were typically measured by the number of rowers they seated. According to historian Ian Heath, the average ship had 16 to 18 rowers. Vikings used short and broad ships called kaupskips, or trade-ships, for trade. They used long, slender vessels called drekar, or dragons, for warfare. Vikings could sail their ships in the ocean and up rivers for surprise attacks and trade missions.