Sny refers to the natural upward sweep or curvature required in wooden hull planks as they approach the bow or stern. Because a ship is wider in the middle and tapers at the ends, planks must be shaped with this curve to lie flat against the frames. Shipwrights must carefully calculate and cut the sny into each strake so the seams remain tight.
Heard on the job
We need to put more sny into this garboard strake so it meets the stem properly.
Insider tip
Planks with too much sny are difficult to bend and often require steaming.