ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Crab claw sail

Have you ever seen a crab's claw? It's shaped like a sail! A crab claw sail is a type of sail that looks like a crab's claw, but it's much bigger and made for a boat.

The sail is made of fabric that is stretched between two poles or masts, just like a regular sail. But the difference is that the crab claw sail has a curved shape, like a half-moon, which helps to catch the wind better than a flat sail.

When the wind blows, it pushes against the curved shape of the sail and makes the boat move forward. The sail can be adjusted by moving the poles or masts closer or further apart, or by changing the angle of the sail to catch more or less wind.

The crab claw sail is used mostly in traditional boats from areas like Polynesia, Micronesia, and Southeast Asia. These boats are called outrigger canoes or proas, and they are known for their speed and maneuverability.

So, think of the crab claw sail like a big, curved piece of fabric that helps a boat move forward when the wind blows. It's like catching a breeze with a big sail that's shaped like a crab's claw!