Nautical Term: Strake

Definition of Strake

A continuous line of flat, rigid structures, known as strakes, are affixed to the outside of a vessel’s hull. These strakes extend from the stem to the stern, forming a protective layer against water and external impacts.

For example, The 18th-century pirate ship, The Sea Dog, featured thick oak strakes on its hull. These strakes provided crucial protection against enemy cannonballs and rough ocean waves during pirate raids and voyages.

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