Possible Clues:

• Somber
• Strictly speaking or to be at the helm, by the sound of it
• Plain
• Severely simple and plain in appearance
• Ascetic
• Or be at the helm in a stern way, by the sound of it
• Bare-bones
• Hard to control vehicle, it's said, on a sort of bend
• Cold sea true to form
• Severe; lacking luxuries