This board may be left lowered at all times while learning to sail, however, it is usually retracted partially or wholly when sailing off the wind when racing to reduce the resistance or drag and increase the speed of the boat.

The centerboard may also be raised slightly to adjust the balance between sail and underwater shape to make steering easier. The novice should leave the centerboard down until he has mastered more important details of sailing. Raising the centerboard will increase rolling and reduce the boatÕs stability. Larger boats have a fixed keel in place of the centerboard.This heavy keel gives the boat the additional advantage of much more stability and makes it difficult to capsize. It has the disadvantage of making the boats difficult to take out of the water.