Triangular sails affixed to long booms or yards mounted at an angle on the mast define a significant maritime innovation. This design allowed ships to sail against the wind, a marked improvement over earlier square-rigged vessels. Its maneuverability and efficiency contributed significantly to long-distance trade and exploration.
The impact of this sail design includes facilitating trade routes across the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Vessels equipped with this technology could navigate more effectively in diverse wind conditions, reducing reliance on favorable winds and enabling more predictable voyages. Consequently, exchange of goods, ideas, and culture intensified between various regions.