The Panga is a type of modest-sized, open, outboard-powered, fishing boat common throughout much of the developing world, including Central America, the Caribbean, parts of Africa, the Middle East, and much of Asia.The original panga design was developed by Yamaha as part of a World Bank project circa 1970. panga used by Somali pirates under observation by the United States Navy. Key features of the panga design are a high bow, narrow waterline beam, and a flotation bulge along the gunwale, or top edge of the hull.