, even though karakoa were usually much larger. Like balangay, they can be used for both trade and war. Their main use, however, were as warships and troop transports during the traditional seasonal sea raids () or piracy (especially against European trade ships). They were estimated to have speeds of up to 12 to 15 knots. The Spanish priest Francisco Combés described in great detail in 1667. He was also impressed by the speed and craftsmanship of the vessels, remarking: Like other outrigger vessels, had very shallow drafts, allowing them to navigate right up to the shoreline. The hull was long and narrow and was made from lightweight materials. The entire vessel can be dragged ashore when not in use or to protect it from storms. The keel was essentially a dugout made from the single trunk of hardwoods like (Vitex parviflora) or (Afzelia rhomboidea). Strakes were built up along the sides of the keel, forming the hull. They were usually made from lawaan wood (Shorea spp.) and were tightly fitted to the keel and with each other by dowels reinforced further with fiber lashings (usually from sugar palm) on carved lugs. Ribs for support and seating connected the strakes across, which were also lashed together with fiber. The use of dowels and lashings instead of nails made the hull flexible, able to absorb collisions with underwater objects that would have shattered more rigid hulls. Strongly curved planks were fitted at both ends of the keel, giving the ship a crescent-shaped profile. These were usually elaborately carved into serpent or dragon (bakunawa) designs. Tall poles festooned with colorful feathers or banners were also affixed here, called the (prow) and the (stern). The anterioposterior symmetry allowed the boat to reverse direction quickly by simply having the rowers turn around in their seats. had tripod bamboo masts (two or three in larger vessels), rigged with either crab-claw sails or rectangular tanja sails (). The sails were traditionally made from woven plant fibers (like nipa), but were later replaced with materials like linen. In addition to the sails, had a crew of rowers (usually horohan warriors from the alipin caste) with paddles (), or oars ( or ) on either side of the hull. In between the rowers was an open space used as a passage for moving fore and aft of the ship. Various chants and songs kept the pace and rhythm