Basic Sailing Examination

EXAMINATION OF SAILING KNOWLEDGE

 

 

QUESTION 1: Identify the following parts of a sailboat on the diagram:
  1. Centerboard
  2. Forestay
  3. Port
  4. Shroud
  5. Tabernacle
  6. Toping Lift
  7. Boom Vang
  
  1. Painter
  2. Winch
  3. Starboard
  4. Boom
  5. Mast
  6. Tiller

QUESTION 2: Identify the following sails and parts of a sail below:
  1. Luff
  2. Leach
  3. Clew
  4. Bow
  5. Batten
  6. Head
  
  1. Tack
  2. Foot
  3. Mainsail
  4. Stern
  5. Telltale
  6. Jib

QUESTION 3: Match the following items found on a sailboat with one of the functions listed below.

  1. Used to raise (hoist) the sails
  2. Fitting used to tie off a line
  3. Furthest forward on-deck fitting through which the jib sheet passes
  4. Controls the trim of the mainsail
  5. Controls the angle of the rudder
  6. A device that provides mechanical advantage
  7. Controls the trim of the jib
  8. The fin at the stern of the boat used for steering



  1. Mainsheet
  2. Jibsheet(s)
  3. Halyard(s)
  4. Fairlead
  5. Rudder
  6. Winch
  7. Cleat
  8. Tiller/wheel

QUESTION 4: Match the following items found on a sailboat with one the functions listed below.

  1. Lines for adjusting sail positions
  2. Used to adjust the tension in the luff of a mainsail
  3. Used to adjust the tension in the foot of a mainsail
  4. Lifts the boom to a desired height
  5. Pulls boom down and keeps it from lifting
  6. Line tied to the bowplate for tieing up
  7. Indicates the direction of the wind/sail trim
  8. Supports the mast from the bow and stern
  9. Supports the mast from the sides



  1. Stays
  2. Shrouds
  3. Telltales
  4. Painter
  5. Sheets
  6. Boomvang
  7. Boom topping lift
  8. Outhaul
  9. Downhaul/cunningham

QUESTION 5: Match the following definitions with one of the tern listed. There is only one definition for each term.

  1. The right side of the boat when facing the forward
  2. The side of the boat Furthest from the wind
  3. The left side of the boat when facing the forward
  4. Side of the boat closest to the wind
  5. In front of the boat
  6. On a line of sight at right angles (90 degrees to the boat’s keel)
  7. Behind the boat
  8. The person steering the boat
  9. The people who operate the boat
  10. The person responsible for the safe operation of the boat



  1. Port
  2. Starboard
  3. Windward
  4. Leeward
  5. Helmsman
  6. Crew
  7. Skipper
  8. Ahead
  9. Abeam
  10. Astern

QUESTION 6: Operation and Navigation

  1. To make the boat turn to port, which direction do you push the tiller?
  2. Name the 4 Coast Guard required items that must be on a non-motorized sailboat:
    • First Aid Kit
    • Horn or Whistle
    • Throwable Floatation
    • Mast Light
    • Flares
    • Life Preservers for each person
    • Fire Extinquisher
    • Anchor
    • Boat Hook
    • Two Paddles
  3. Which side of the boat should the RED channel marker be when sailing from a smaller body of water (such as Selby Bay) to a larger (such as the South River)?
  4. What is the rule of thumb "Red Right Returning" mean when you approach a RED channel marker when coming from a larger body of water to a smaller?
  5. What is the first thing you should check before tossing an anchor overboard?




 

QUESTION 7: Match the following definitions with one of the terms listed. There is only one definition for each term.

  1. Sheets, halyards /other lines that control sails
  2. Wires that support the mast
  3. Turning the boat away from the wind until the boat changes tacks
  4. Changing tacks with the wind crossing the bow
  5. At or towards the stern (on the boat)
  6. At or towards the bow (on the boat)
  7. A boats greatest width
  8. Leaning action of the boat



  1. Tacking
  2. Jibing
  3. Running rigging
  4. Standing rigging
  5. Heel
  6. Beam
  7. Forward
  8. Aft

QUESTION 8: In each pair of sailboats identify which boat is to windward and which is to leeward.

Left Diagram:
  • Boat A
  • Boat B
Right Diagram:
  • Boat C
  • Boat D

QUESTION 9: Match the knots below with their main functions.

  1. Temporary, non-slipping loop
  2. A stopper knot for sheets and halyards
  3. Securing a line



 

 

 

QUESTION 10: Point of Sail. Match the letter of each boat with its point of sail.

  • Boat A
  • Boat B
  • Boat C
  • Boat D
  • Boat E
  • Boat F

QUESTION 11: Match the following definitions with the appropriate term.. There is only one definition for each term.

  1. The flapping of the sails
  2. The wind is coming over the port side of the boat and the main boom is on starboard
  3. The wind is coming over the starboard side of the boat and the main boom is on port
  4. To turn the sailboat toward the direction of the wind
  5. To turn the sailboat away from the direction of the wind
  6. The wind is coming over the side the mainsail is on
  7. The boat is pointed toward the wind and is not moving



  1. Starboard tack
  2. Port tack
  3. Sailing by the lee
  4. In-irons
  5. Luffing
  6. Heading up
  7. Falling off

QUESTION 12: Right-of-Way. You are in a sailboat under sail:

NOTE: The Rule of Prudent Seamanship Would have you avoid any collision. However there are International (high seas and Connecting navigable waters ) and Inland Navigation Rules which determine who should "stand-on" (keep her course and speed) and "Give-way" (take early and substantial action to keep well clear).

Situation (You are sailing):
  1. You are approaching a sailboat on the same tack as you and you are the leeward boat
  2. You are approaching a sailboat, you are on a port tack and the other boat is on a starboard tack
  3. You are being overtaken by a sailboat from behind
  4. You are overtaking a powerboat from behind
  5. You are approaching a fishing boat which is slowly trolling
  6. You are approaching a 12 trillion ton freighter
 What Do YOU do: