The Keel Boats have their counerparts in the New World, in the form of the Gundalows of New England.

The Gundalow, built low and oblong, like the Keel Boats,have a lanteen rigged sail, a triangular sail suspended on a long boom, rigged on a very short stubby mast, to allow the sail to be dropped and the boat to slide under bridges over the navagatable tidal creeks in the region.

They were used to haul produce down stream to costal markets and shipping, and other materials back up river to the various towns along the rivers and streams. Since the wind was never a sure thing, they also were fitted with long oars or sweeps, to row them along when there was little wind, or to help them upriver against the tide. Since a slight draft was desirable, they were fitted with larboards, a large pivoting board like the centerboard, rigged on one side of the boat to allow some progress against or across wind - reduce side slipping when reaching.

A few years ago a local conservaion group had a replica of a local gundalow built locally, wich plies the costal rivers showing locals and tourists alike what historical New England was like years ago.

Dave