The holk is a three master from the 15th century used by the Hanseatic League.

There is a simple rig, which could be improved.

Sail cloth is animated, as is the sea, though the propotion of the ship and the waves does not match

Layout

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Layer 1: Model and Wind

Layer 2: Template objects

Layer 3: Water

Layer 6: Rig

Layer 9: Background sky

Layer 10: Lighs/Camera

Layer 11: Empties

Layer 20: Bone shapes

Developing this model, I did a timelapse, which can be found through the article on Blender Artist:

http://blenderartists.org/forum/showthread.php?271321-Modeling-a-wooden-ship