ASA 101 – Basic Keelboat Sailing Practice Exam

These questions are part of the practice quiz. Start practicing

• Which line runs from the top of the mast to the bow, keeping the mast from moving forward?
• Which term is the flat surface at the back of a boat?
• What term refers to lines used to adjust sails and rigging during sailing?
• What is the purpose of a bilge pump on a sailboat?
• What is the name of the device that allows changing the position where the mainsheet connects to the boat?
• What is the topmark for a Safe Water Mark?
• Which term describes the No-Sail Zone, the area roughly 45 degrees from straight into the wind?
• Which term means the wind is now on the opposite side after a maneuver?
• What is the purpose of the forestay (headstay) on a sloop rig?
• Which statement best describes the purpose of lateral aids to navigation?
• What is the purpose of the boat’s trim and balance in sailing?
• What does bearing away mean in sailing?
• Which device indicates airflow over a sail to aid trimming?
• What is the line that runs from the jib's clew to the end of the boom and is used to adjust the foot of the sail?
• Which line runs from the top of the mast to the stern, providing stability?
• What is the difference between standing rigging and running rigging?
• In a channel, which combination corresponds to the right and left sides?
• Which knot forms a fixed loop that won’t slip?
• How do you trim the jib on a close-hauled course?
• Which term means the back of the boat?
• Which term refers to moving toward the front of the boat?
• When a sailing vessel overtakes another, which vessel is required to keep clear?
• Before executing a jib, the skipper should:
• The side of the boat that is toward the wind is called
• In a head-on meeting of two power-driven vessels, what maneuver is required to avoid a collision?
• Leeward is the direction relative to the wind: is it toward the wind, away from the wind, perpendicular to wind, or upwind?
• Which term describes sailing with the wind coming from behind the boat?
• What is a figure-eight knot used for?
• Which item would cushion a boat when docking?
• Which vessel must give way in a crossing where one boat is on port tack and the other on starboard tack?
• Which device lets you tension the luff on the mainsail without using the halyard?
• Which practice best supports staying alert on deck during a sail?
• What color is the stern navigation light?
• Which of the following is not part of the standing rigging?
• Which sail is located behind the mast?
• If you lose sight of the MOB during recovery, what is the recommended course of action?
• Which hardware transfers load from the shrouds to the hull?
• How should you respond to a potential collision on the water?
• Which term describes sailing between beam reach and run?
• The side of the boat away from the wind is called
• What is the protective device placed between a boat and a dock to prevent damage?
• Which term describes sailing between close hauled and beam reach?
• Tell tales on a sail primarily help indicate what?
• Which term describes turning the bow toward the wind?
• Which term is used to control the main sail's trim by adjusting the mainsheet's tension?
• Which sail typically provides the majority of forward drive on a small keelboat?
• Which term is the forward edge of main and jib sail—the edge that feels the wind first?
• What color is the port side forward navigation light?
• Which term is defined as the rope used to raise or lower the sail?
• Which sail is located in front of the mast?
• What is a common practice to minimize risk when practicing MOB?
• Which term represents the distance from waterline to deck
• Which wire runs from the hull to the mast on the sides, providing lateral support?
• Which term is the line that extends the foot of the sail from the clew to the end of the boom?
• What is a reef on a mainsail?
• What is the purpose of regulatory markers?
• Which term means you must alter course?
• Which statement about running is true?
• Which sail is set in front of the mast?
• Which term is the opposite of a tack, turning so the wind from the aft switches sides?
• Which action keeps a close-hauled jib with a clean luff?
• How should you approach the topic of right-of-way to new sailors?
• Which term is used when you want to tack?
• Tell-tales indicate airflow; what action should you take to trim the sail?
• Which term describes the ropes and cables that support the mast?
• What safety equipment should be worn by everyone on deck on ASA 101?
• What is a telltale and how is it used?
• Which term names the trailing edge of the sail?
• Which device is used to pay out or tighten lines by turning a handle?
• Where should a float plan be submitted?
• What is the rudder’s function?
• The side that is at a right angle to the fore-aft line is called
• How do telltales help in trimming a sail?
• What is the blood alcohol limit referenced?
• When heeling occurs due to wind, which is a common cause?
• In gusty docking conditions, why are fenders and proper lines important?
• What is the rope sewn along the foot of a sail that slides in a groove along the top of the boom called?
• Which vertical post along the gunwale supports the lifeline?
• What is a cleat hitch used for?
• What term describes the longitudinal structure along the centerline at the bottom of a vessel's hull?
• The vertical distance from the waterline to the bottom of the hull is
• What is the difference between the luff and the leech of a sail?
• Which term refers to the railing at the bow of a boat?
• What is the purpose of a life ring or throwable float during MOB?
• What does bearing up mean in sailing?
• Which term means the boat is 90 degrees to the wind?
• What is the term for a pulley used to change the direction of a line by winding it on a drum?
• Which rule requires that a vessel maintain a proper look-out by sight and hearing and by all available means to assess the risk of collision?
• Which device is used to guide a rope around a deck edge?
• Which vessel must give way when two power-driven vessels are approaching and the other vessel is on its starboard side?
• What term is the right-hand side of the boat?
• Which information should be included in a float plan?
• Which hardware attaches the standing rigging to the hull?
• A vertical red and white striped marker with a ball on top is a Safe Water Mark. What does it indicate?
• Which term describes the vessel that must maintain course while the other vessel must alter course?
• Which control is hooked to the top of the rudder to steer the boat?
• What is the term for turning the bow of the boat into and through the wind?
• Which control trims the mainsail's angle to the wind?
• Which hardware is used to secure lines on the boat by wrapping around and tying?
• What is the purpose of jib sheets?
• Which term is the upright center post holding sails?
• What is the correct order of points of sail from most windward to most downwind?
• Which term describes the forward-most area of a sailboat?
• Which term refers to the fastening device that secures lines and gear?
• Which device is designed to aid a person overboard and is typically kept on board as safety equipment?
• Which term describes sailing as close to the wind as possible (the closest point of sail)?
• Which term is the bottom edge of the sail?
• What is the standard order for a basic tack while sailing upwind?
• On upwind tack, what should be done after turning the bow through the wind?
• What term refers to the rope used to raise or lower the sail?
• What is the yarn or ribbon used to show how the wind is blowing past the sail?
• What is the pulley on a boat commonly called?
• What is heeling and why does it occur?
• Which term means at a right angle to the fore-aft line?
• Which term describes the component that connects the boom to the mast?
• Which term is a sheet used for controlling the mainsail?
• Which sequence is correct when preparing to jib a sail?
• What term describes sailing to far leeward when running, risking a jibe?
• According to the marking system, red markers indicate the right side of the channel when returning from main waters.
• The vertical distance from the waterline to the deck level is
• Which term refers to wind coming from starboard side?
• Define jibe in sailing.
• Which term best describes sailing as close to the wind as possible?
• The tilt of the boat about its longitudinal axis is called
• What is the purpose of the engine on a keelboat during a practice session?
• Which sail is considered the primary sail behind the mast?
• How does proper sail trim and boat balance affect sailing performance?
• Which practice best supports staying alert on deck during a sail?
• What is the purpose of the vang?
• On a close-hauled course, what adjustment helps keep the jib's luff clean?
• Which term refers to wind coming from the port side?
• What is the purpose of a fender?
• A beam reach occurs when the wind is coming from which direction relative to the boat?
• Towards the back of the boat is which term?
• Which term is the back lower corner of sail?
• Which knot is used as a stopper knot to prevent a line from slipping?
• Which term describes the point of sail between beam reach and run?
• What is the purpose of a fender?
• Which term describes turning the bow away from the wind?
• Which term refers to the left side of a boat?
• When returning from open waters, red markers indicate which side of the channel?
• Which fastening device is used to join lines or hardware on a sailboat?
• What is the correct technique to regain power after a capsize in shallow water?
• Which term is the post across the bottom of the main sail?
• Which line is used to control the jib sail?
• What is the purpose of a lifeline on a sailboat?
• Which term describes turning the bow through the wind to switch from one tack to the other?
• Which point of sail is most windward?
• Which term describes sailing as direct in to wind as possible?
• Which device is a ring mounted to guide a rope on a boat?
• Which term is the ring that connects the sail to a stay?
• Which term describes the forward edge of the sail that first meets the wind?
• Which term is used to describe the front direction toward the bow?
• What is the purpose of the traveler on the mainsail?
• Tack in sailing is which of the following?
• What is the primary function of the mainsail sheet?
• Which statement correctly defines windward and leeward?
• Which term means the front of the boat?
• Which term is used to initiate the tack?
• Which term describes the maneuver of turning the bow through the wind to change tacks?
• What is a bowline knot used for?
• What color is the starboard side forward navigation light?
• What is the term for the wire from the top of the mast to the front of the hull?
• Which term describes the vessel that must maintain its course and not alter course?
• Which term means toward the front of the boat?
• What are the three corners of a triangular sail called?
• What is the purpose of the outhaul on the mainsail?
• What is the keel’s purpose on a keelboat?
• Which term means steering away from the wind?
• Name two knots essential for basic sail handling.
• Which term refers to the left side of a boat?
• Which control tightens the foot of the mainsail along the boom?
• In a crossing between two sailing vessels, which tack has the right of way?
• What is the top corner of a sail called?
• What is the name of the line used to lift the height of the boom?
• Maintaining a proper look-out is intended to help assess what?
• Which type of rigging is used to support the mast?
• Which term describes the side being blown on by the wind
• What is the MOB procedure sequence?
• Which term means the back of the boat?
• What is the standard order for a basic tack while sailing upwind?
• Windward is defined as the direction toward which the wind is blowing. Which option correctly reflects this?
• What is the primary function of the mainsail halyard?
• Which steering device is located at the stern to steer the boat?
• Which term describes the sails flapping because the boat is too close to the wind?
• Which statement correctly differentiates tack and jibe?
• What is the purpose of the jib halyard?
• What is the purpose of a spring line when docking?
• Which statement is essential to explain to beginners to prevent collisions?
• What are the edges of a sail called, and which edge runs along the forward side?
• What is the correct initial action when a person falls overboard?
• Which term is the back edge of the main and jib sail?
• What is the recommended head position when the boat is turning through tack or jibe?
• Which action helps maintain the boat's stability during a turn or tack?
• Which statement best describes the role of halyards on a sailboat?
• In a crossing between vessels on different tacks, who yields?
• Which vessel must give way when two sailing vessels are on opposite tacks and the wind is on the windward side?
• Which term describes the side of the boat toward the wind?
• Which term is the upright center post holding sails?
• Which component runs around the edge of the deck and is used for safety, supported by vertical posts?
• During MOB recovery after losing sight, what should you do to re-establish sight and retrieval?
• Which sail control line keeps the boom from being lifted upward by the mainsail?
• When approaching a mooring buoy, what is a prudent procedure?
• What term describes sailing directly into the wind?
• Which term is used when the boat is pointed straight into the wind with sails luffing?
• Which term refers to the device that allows changing where the mainsheet tackle connects to the boat?
• If the wind is coming from the starboard side, what is the tack called?
• In a scenario where two sailing vessels are on the same tack and the wind is on the windward side, which vessel must give way?
• For safe MOB practice, which combination is recommended?
• Which distress signaling devices are federally required on small boats?
• Which term means the front of the boat?
• Which term indicates the right-hand side of the boat?
• What is the best practice for staying alert on deck during a sail?
• What indicates that the wind is shifting while you’re sailing?
• What has a mast-mounted arm that spreads the shrouds to support the mast?
• Which item is federally required safety equipment on most small boats under 25 feet?
• The area behind the boat is described by
• In MOB recovery, if sight is lost, what is the recommended action?
• On a crossing between two sailing vessels where one is on a starboard tack and the other on a port tack, which vessel should maintain course (stand-on) if the wind is on the starboard side?
• Which term is the verbal notification that the tiller has been put to leeward to cause the boat to come about?
• What is the general driver of boat speed on a sailboat?
• When sailing in areas with commercial traffic, if a danger signal is observed or heard, what should a sailor do?
• What is a proper pre-sail safety check?
• How should you store lines after a sailing session?
• Which rigging is primarily adjusted to change sail shape and tension while sailing?
• Which term means the back of the boat, a flat surface?
• What is the main safety consideration when docking in gusty conditions?
• When turning through a tack or jibe, what should you coordinate with the boat?
• What are the solid slats or rods in batten pockets that help a sail maintain its airfoil shape?
• Which line is used to raise the jib?
• What is the term for the direction the boat is moving relative to the wind?
• The width of the boat at its widest point is called
• Where do channel numbers begin?
• To whom should boating accidents be reported?
• Which device is used to roll the jib sail up?
• Which term denotes the maximum depth of hull below waterline
• Which component connects the boom to the mast?
• If the wind is coming from the port side, what is the tack called?
• Which term describes turning the bow toward the wind to de-power the sails?
• Which statement best reflects how you should explain right-of-way to beginners?