Leeboard ?

We sometimes forget that not everyone is familiar with nautical terminology, as there are plenty of new boat owners, learning the ropes.  A questions which we get asked alot is 'what is a lee board'?  So for those of you who are interested, here's the answer:

A leeboard is a form of pivoting keel used by a sailboat in lieu of a fixed keel. Typically mounted in pairs on each side of a hull, leeboards function much like a centreboard, allowing shallow draft craft to ply waters fixed keel boats cannot. Only one, however, the leeward, is used at a time, as it does not get lifted from the water when the boat heels under the force of the wind.

They come in all shapes and sizes, but the working principle is the same.  Even canoes have been adapted with leeboards, to give better control.

Leeboard repainted ready for re-fitting.

Leeboards down giving the keel.

Lee board just visible