The Vikings used a variety of boats when exploring and raiding. The most famous of these was the longship, which was a versatile vessel that could be used for both transportation and warfare. These boats were designed for speed and maneuverability, with a shallow draft that allowed them to explore shallow rivers and navigate through narrow channels. Other boats used by the Vikings included the knarr, which was a larger merchant vessel that was used for long-distance trading, and the faering, which was a small fishing boat that could be easily transported overland.