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Abilgeboard is aliftingfoil used in asailboat, which resembles a cross between acenterboard and aleeboard. Bilgeboards are mounted between the centerline of the boat and the sides, and are almost always asymmetric foils mounted at an angle to maximize lateral lift while minimizingdrag. They are most often found on racingscows.
When sailing, thewindward side bilgeboard is retracted into thehull of the boat, so that it produces no drag. Theleeward side foil provides the lift to counter the lateral force of the sail, and converts it into forward motion. The bilgeboards are angled so that as the boat heels, or leans under the force of the wind, the leeward bilgeboard becomes more upright, and provides the greatest possible force in the desired direction.
Like a centerboard, the bilgeboard can be used as a recovery platform upon which to stand in the event thedinghy overturns via acapsize orturtle.
TheRed Fox is a modern cruising yacht that uses bilgeboards to allow a lifting keel with minimal interference in cabin space.[1]
When the craft is moving, the bilgeboard acts as aliftingfoil.