Chalupa (boat)

A chalupa is not to be confused with a trajinera, which is a boat housing long benches along the edges, and a table through the middle, and poled by a standing person.

These boats are typical of Mexico City's Xochimilco channel and are frequented by local families for weekend picnics on the water.

Chalupa in Portuguese is a small boat used for cabotage, either with oars or sails, in the latter case with a single mast.

The mid-16th century chalupa used by the Basque whalers was 8 metres (26 ft) long, and would have been manned by a steersman, five oarsmen, and a harpooner.

One such chalupa has been given extensive conservation treatment, and as of July 1998 was on display in the visitor centre of Red Bay National Historic Site of Canada.