In a boat, ship or aeroplane
A strake is a longitudinal course of planking or plating, On a vessel it runs from the stempost (at the bows) to the sternpost or transom (at the rear). Modern use includes a similar course on an aeroplane body or wings. Strake is also the name used for a continuous spiralling strip designed by engineers to give structural support to large metal cylinders such as smokestacks.
