noun
- plural of centerboard; retractable keels that can be lowered through a slot in the bottom of a sailboat to prevent sideways drift
Usage: nautical
Examples
- The sailing instructor showed us how to raise and lower the centerboards.
- Small dinghies often use centerboards instead of fixed keels.
- We had to replace both centerboards after they were damaged on the rocks.
- The centerboards were stuck and wouldn’t retract into their slots.
- Racing sailboats require properly adjusted centerboards for optimal performance.
- The boat’s centerboards help prevent it from sliding sideways in the wind.