To club is to intentionally drag an anchor along the bottom while drifting with a current. This technique slows the vessel down relative to the water flow, giving the rudder enough water flow over it to maintain steerage. It is a traditional boat handling maneuver used in tight, fast-flowing rivers where turning around or stopping completely is impossible.
Heard on the job
We'll have to club down the channel until we clear the narrows.
Also heard as
- clubbing