| History of boating may take you to more that | | | | be fast, large enough to carry soldiers, and |
| ten thousand years ago. People have relied on | | | | it is supposed to be easily maneuverable. As |
| boats since long it has been an effective | | | | a result, the standard boat design for war |
| means of transportation for many years now | | | | was a long and narrow ship, powered by |
| and still is. Many historians believe that | | | | several rows of oars. Ancient Greek warships |
| the it was the Greeks in the ancient times | | | | reached 118 feet in length and required more |
| who first began exploring the Aegean Sea. The | | | | than 170 oarsmen. Cargo ships were designed |
| mountainous terrain of Greece contributed to | | | | to carry as much as possible with the |
| the importance of boating; travel through sea | | | | smallest crew. Over time, cargo boats became |
| became the easiest and the most economical | | | | rounder and higher, to transport more trade |
| way for the ancient Greeks to trade goods. | | | | goods and ensure that the upper decks were |
| | | | above the waterline. Even the navigation was |
| Many clay tablets have been found belonging | | | | an art in itself. It is said that the birth |
| to the time period of ancient Egypt, that is | | | | of 'art of navigation' took place during the |
| may be even more than 6000 years ago where | | | | time period of 3500 B.C. |
| they have represented and hinted about the | | | | |
| sea travel. The Egyptians relied on boats and | | | | When the navigators stay closed to the shore |
| the Nile river to travel and transport goods. | | | | and had specific landmarks while traveling |
| While many of the boats from ancient Egypt | | | | till their destination is reached. And when |
| bore a striking Resemblance to rowed boats | | | | they did venture out of sight of land, the |
| still in use today, others were used to | | | | navigator was able to determine his latitude |
| transport building materials and monuments | | | | by observing the height of the sun during the |
| and could be as long as 300 feet. These | | | | day and the North Star at night. Later when |
| transports Boats were even longer than any of | | | | they became experienced at these it was the |
| the wooden warships built during the 17th and | | | | constellation of stars they depended upon. As |
| 18th centuries. | | | | the time passed many instruments from |
| | | | cross-staff and astrolabe to the present days |
| The design and construction of ancient boats | | | | GPS system were developed to help making |
| reflected their use. Ancient warships had to | | | | boating a pleasant experience. |