stake boat

an anchored boat to which barges or other boats are temporarily moored.

an anchored boat used as a turning point in races.

Origin of stake boat

First recorded in 1880–85

Well clear of the stake-boat, however, it lifted and we could see what we were doing.

The Seiners |James B. (James Brendan) Connolly
In the fog and drizzle the leaders did not find the stake-boat at once.

The Seiners |James B. (James Brendan) Connolly
“The yacht capsized in rounding the stake-boat, and the helmsman was drownded:” say, drowned.

Five Hundred Mistakes of Daily Occurrence in Speaking, Pronouncing, and Writing the English Language, Corrected |Anonymous
He managed to turn the stake-boat first, though Snail Looper was a close second.

The Eight-Oared Victors |Lester Chadwick

There were not many important changes in the positions of the contesting boats, however, until the stake-boat was reached.

Wyn's Camping Days |Amy Bell Marlowe