Garboard strake is a term commonly used in boat building. It refers to the plank that runs parallel to the keel, on the outside of the hull, close to the waterline. Synonyms for garboard strake may include the first strake, the bilge plank, or the keel plank. Other names for this important component may include the v-bottom plank, the bottom gathering, or the stemson plank. The garboard strake is a critical part of a boat and must be crafted with precision and care. No matter the name, this strake is essential to the integrity of the hull, and is always a focus of machinists and craftspeople who value boating.