Enchanted Trimaran

The people of the Archipelagic Safe Zone travel between their islands frequently. Where the distance is too great for small rowing boats and yachts to cross safely, the most common vessel is one of their distinctive trimarans.
The basic attributes of the trimaran are ideal for the purpose. The shallow draught permits the use of otherwise unnavigable channels and means the vessels can beach safely when required. The broad beam the outriggers provide gives excellent stability when tacking even under high winds. Experienced Archipelagan sailors, many of whom have spent more of their lives on water than on land, are unchallenged masters at the helms of these vessels.

Purpose

Although there are small version used for fishing and transport up and down the coasts of the islands, most trimarans are somewhat larger and used for trade. They are a common sight at the harbours of the Coastal Safe Zone. Due to the narrowness of the central hull, multiple decks are required to provide adequate cargo space. It is this tall, central hull that marks a trimaran as a true Archipelagan vessel.

Construction

The main structure of the ship is built out of one of the lightweight woods that grow on the islands. Internal braces and ties are made of iron, coated with a special sap that forms a waterproof seal to prevent rust. The keels of the hulls often use a denser and stronger wood, to better handle running over reefs, beaches and rocks in the shallows. The outriggers are attached to the main hull by long bamboo poles and lashed in place with rope. If the vessel founders, they can be cut free and used as rowing boats to get to safety.
The multi-deck central hull is the most difficult part to get right. Some vessels are notoriously top-heavy, which is only made worse when they are heavily laden. To alleviate this, they sometimes have a third outrigger to the rear of the vessel. On calm seas, this hull is a couple of feet above the water, so the drag of its sideways hull doesn't slow the trimaran (or possible quadmaran at this point) down. On rough seas, the extra outrigger helps prevent the vessel from being tipped over backwards when facing into tall waves.
In order to save space in the main hull, access to the different decks is via external ladders. These holds are not meant to double up as living quarters or refuges, so they have low ceilings and no windows. The topmost deck is where the navigator and captain control the ship. Unlike the tall ships of the Coastal Safe Zone, there is no mechanical linkage to the tiller, so instructions are shouted down to the tillermen at the rear of the trimaran.
The main sail is attached to mast that runs through all of the decks, for strength. It is usually a lateen sail, although some of the larger trimarans have adopted the continental square-rigged system. Trimarans also carry a large spinnaker that is deployed when sailing at a broad reach.
The top of the mast has either a crow's nest or sling someone can sit in. Although this is used as a lookout, it also functions admirably as a vantage point for a spell-caster to defend the trimaran from water monsters.

Enchantment

The number of ways that a vessel can be enchanted is too great to enumerate, but specific enchantments are commonplace or ubiquitous on Archipelagan trimarans.
The sails are given an enchantment to make them lighter. The impact on the overall weight of the craft is negligible but it makes them easier to handle. Some are also enchanted with a command word to make them furl or unfurl, particularly on trimarans intended to be crewed by a small number of sailors.
Another common sight is a Bag of Wind. This is left half-open when in port or riding at anchor, to collect wind. When the ship finds itself becalmed or labouring under little wind, the bag is opened and the stored wind used to fill the sails. This is particularly useful when the crew does not include a mage with air magic at their disposal.
LightRocks are fixed to the hull in strategic locations, and their colour provides a visual cue as to port and starboard on the vessel. Their inclusion makes moving about the ship at night less dangerous. They are usually mounted in pairs, with one in use while the other recovers its energy.
ColdStones are used primarily to keep food fresh, but they are also put to use to help remove water from the bilges. Dropping the ColdStone into the water will eventually cause ice to form. This can be picked up and thrown overboard as it forms. IF a lot of water is removed this way, ice can form on the outside of the hull as well, causing extra drag until it melts.