The question in the title got its definitive answer some months back.  For now, I want to add more evidence as collected at the 18th Annual WoodenBoat Show at Mystic Seaport this weekend.

Exhibit 1:   Xena.  Ever see a curved mast?  See more Xena and read the discussion at this site featuring fotos from the 2007 Show.  Raked masts in the background are from Amistad.

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Call it curved or sickle-shaped?  Is there a technical name for the sail type?

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Exhibit 2: a sweet boat.  Guess the name?

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Yes!

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Exhibit 3:  Goblin . . . her tender is Goblette.

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“Figurehead” assumes front and center location, so what should I call a figure atop the cabin roof?

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Breck Marshall sailed constantly

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helmed by a sailor who made it seem so simple and maneuverable that I left the Show wanting to learn this too.

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After weeks of almost non-stop rain, to see these and many other wooden boats at Mystic made my soul happy.  More to come.  Xena was my favorite.  I’d love to hear from anyone else who attended and what they liked best.

All fotos by Will Van Dorp.