On reflection, clinker built vessels are as capable as carvel planked hulls. Consider that monocoque construction is the descendant of the lapstrake concept, owing its shape and strength to the joints between the planks rather than to the underlying rib framing. There are still lapped hulls being built today for sailing vessels.

Having enjoyed a cruise in a Viking ship replica, I can attest to the fact that they operated on the modern concept of riding the surface rather than fighting the water as most modern, deeper hulled, vessels do.

The vessel used for the attempted settlement of Vinland was a knarr, or cargo vessel, of that era and was more burdensome than the coastal vessels.