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centreboard

shipbuilding
Also known as: drop keel, sliding keel

Quick Summary

A centerboard is a retractable keel, primarily used in sailboats. In shipbuilding, the keel is the main structural component, serving as the backbone of a ship or boat. It runs lengthwise along the bottom of the hull from the front (stem) to the back (stern).12

A centerboard, also known as a drop keel or sliding keel, is a type of keel that can be lowered from the midship of a vessel. Its purpose is to increase lateral resistance, which helps prevent the boat from slipping sideways.2

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2 Britannica Sources
  1. centerboard
  2. keel

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