leeboard

1 9.3

A flat board attached to the side of a boat to reduce sideways movement when sailing toward the wind

noun
/ˈliːbɔːrd/

Specialized

: tabla de sotavento

Sailors often appreciate how a leeboard can enhance their vessel's balance in challenging conditions.

Examples

By adjusting the leeboard, the crew reduced the boat's sideways movement in strong winds.
The boat's leeboard helped it sail smoothly against the wind.
The sailor lowered the leeboard to help the boat sail upwind.
Traditional sailing boats often use a leeboard instead of a fixed keel.
Many small sailboats use leeboards for better stability.
To improve stability while sailing upwind, make sure to lower the leeboard when you reach deeper waters.
The small boat used a leeboard to minimize sideways drift as it sailed against the wind.

Synonyms

centerboard

vsleeboard

Specialized

1 7.4

A flat board lowered into the water under a sailboat to stop it drifting sideways

is mounted on the side rather than down the center

daggerboard

vsleeboard

Specialized

1 9.5

A board that slides down under a small sailboat to stop it sliding sideways and help it go straight

is attached to the side instead of being removed and lowered vertically

sliding keel

vsleeboard

Specialized

8.1

A fin under a sailboat that moves up and down to reduce sideways drift

is fixed to the side rather than mounted underneath the hull

Surface Forms

leeboard singular

leeboards plural

Morphology

leeboard = lee + board (transparent) = lee + board

Meaning is directly compositional: a board associated with the lee (sheltered/downwind) side of a boat.

Etymology

The word leeboard comes from the parts lee meaning 'shelter from the wind' and board meaning 'a flat plank'. A leeboard is this plank put on the sheltered side of a boat to stop it sliding sideways and to help it sail upwind.