By changing one letter at a time to form different English words, and leaving all other letters in their original positions, convert BOAT into LAKE in the fewest steps possible. Good luck!

B O A T
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L A K E

Here is a five-step SOLUTION.

A FIVE-STEP SOLUTION:

BOAT > BOLT > BOLE > BALE > BAKE > LAKE

Did you come up with a different sequence of words? Feel free to share it by commenting below.