A couple other suggestions, although still not certain: > Use for "small boat" is first recorded 1670s, probably from a phrase similar to "vessels of small cra

A couple other suggestions, although still not certain: > Use for "small boat" is first recorded 1670s, probably from a phrase similar to "vessels of small craft" and referring either to the trade they did or the seamanship they required, or perhaps it preserves the word in its original sense of "power." https://www.etymonline.com/word/craft?ref=etymonline_crossreference#etymonline_v_290 https://www.etymonline.com/word/craft?ref=etymonline_crossre... I'd never even though about this, so thanks for that.