Centreboard

A centreboard or centerboard (US) is a retractable hull appendage which pivots out of a slot in the hull of a sailboat, known as a centreboard trunk (UK) or centerboard case (US). The retractability allows the centreboard to be raised to operate in shallow waters, to move the centre of lateral resistance, to reduce drag when the full area of the centreboard is not needed, or when removing the boat from the water, as when trailering. A centreboard which consists of solely a pivoting metal plate is called a centerplate; the term "centreboard" may refer to either a wooden or a metal pivoting retractable foil.

A daggerboard is similar but slides vertically rather than pivoting.

Back to Boats & Rigs →

Source: Wikipedia · Image: Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

SAILMENTOR

Learn the ropes — sailing skills, seamanship, and the calculators every sailor needs.

Get new guides by emailOccasional emails. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

InformationAbout Contact Privacy Policy Terms of Service Disclaimer Affiliate Disclosure Cookie Policy

Every species, image, fact, and figure is drawn from Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons, used under public-domain and Creative Commons licenses. No content is AI-generated.