A caravel ( Portuguese : caravela ) is a type of small sailing ship . It is easy to maneuver. It was developed in the 15th century by the Portuguese . The Portuguese used caravels to explore the West African coast and the Atlantic Ocean . Lateen sails made the caravels fast and able to sail against the wind . Caravels were used by the Portuguese to explore oceans during the 15th and 16th centuries in the Age of Discovery .