Final answer:
The caravel was a crucial advancement in sea travel with larger hulls and improved navigation capabilities, including the lateen sail for tacking and a strategically placed rudder.
Step-by-step explanation:
The caravel was a significant development in nautical technology during the Age of Exploration. This new style of ship included larger hulls to carry more provisions, increasing the distance ships could travel on a single voyage. Perhaps the most notable features of the caravel were its rudder placement at the back of the ship for better maneuverability, and the addition of a lateen sail, which allowed for tacking or sailing into the wind. This innovation was crucial for explorers as it provided greater control and efficiency in various wind conditions, enabling longer and more ambitious journeys across the seas.