[William Davis]

Don't want to pour cold water on the theory but traditonal Cat Boats like were popular on the New England Coast don't have a Jib,the engraving carrys a Jib on a bowsprit.

Mast on a Cat is mounted all the way forward just behind the stem. Look at the fellow in the bow on the engraved gun, He's forward of the mast, you can't sit there on a Cat, no room most have about a foot or two forward of the mast at most. Fellow in the photo is standing forward of the mast toes almost over the bow.

Photo is a classic Cat Boat for sure. The Engraved boat does carry a very long boom as does a Cat, This would be normal for any Gaff rigged boat and many small boats used on the New England Coast

That Sailboat scene is my favorate Parker Engraving

William