The polacre was a Mediterranean sailing vessel with a distinctive mixed rig, using square sails on some masts and lateen sails on others, often applied to xebec hulls used by Barbary corsairs. This hybrid rig offered speed advantages across a range of wind conditions.
Quick Facts
| Ship Class | Merchant/Raider |
|---|---|
| Era Used | 18th century |
| Typical Crew | 50-150 |
| Guns / Cannons | variable |
| Speed / Handling | Fast, mixed square and lateen rig |
| Notable Use | Polacre-rigged xebecs used by Barbary corsairs |
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