A row of hull or deck plates Their position is indicated by a capital letter, starting with A for the strake alongside the keel Several strakes have very nautical sounding names as well, e g : garboard strake also sand strake (next to the keel), bilge strake also closing strake (at the turn of the bilge), sheer strake (at the upper edge of the hull along the maindeck)
One line of hull planking extending the full length of the vessel Several planks, placed end to end, may form a strake Strakes may be defined according to position as follows: the garboard strake is the lowest and rabbets into the keel; the sheer strake, directly below the upper edge of the hull side, is a heavy strake which forms the curve of the top-side, and acts as a chief strengthening agent there A wale is the heaviest strengthening stake, located midway between the waterline and the sheer