9-12 Leagues..........Best Speed
Broad Reach or........Best Point of Sailing
Running Reach
28 Guns...............Maximum Number of Heavy Cannon
24 Guns...............Typical Number of Heavy Cannon
224 Men...............Maximum Personnel
215 Men...............Typical Crew and Passengers
120 Tons..............Cargo Space
The northern European powers refined the basic Galleon Design, revising the
sail plan for more flexibility, then reducing the upperworks and hull shape for
better seakeeping. The resulting ship was smaller than a Spanish galleon, but
faster in light winds and considerable more maneuverable. However, it suffers
the universal disadvantage of all galleons - poor speed when close-hauled.
Still, its superior maneuverability and seakeeping showed when the English fast
galleons and smaller craft defeated a Spanish fleet of conventional galleons
in 1588.
