Centerboard (Noun)
Meaning
A retractable fin keel used on sailboats to prevent drifting to leeward.
Classification
Nouns denoting man-made objects.
Examples
- The sailor expertly lifted the centerboard as the sailboat navigated the shallow waters near the coast.
- Sailboats that employ a centerboard tend to track more smoothly in a breeze with little loss of momentum.
- This classic yacht utilized a unique combination of the keel and the retractable centerboard to handle tricky tidal flows.
- It is wise for sailboat captains to make a careful mental map of submerged reefs when adjusting their vessel's centerboard depth.
- Dropping the centerboard has effectively ceased sideways motion as it found secure contact with the sandy sea floor beneath.