Sailing Quiz
Questions: 16 · 10 minutes
1. A boat draws 1.8 metres and is in water 2.3 metres deep. Ignoring waves and squat, what is its under-keel clearance?
4.1 metres
2.3 metres
1.8 metres
0.5 metres
2. While facing forward toward the bow, which side of a boat is port?
The side toward the wind
The right side
The left side
The side away from the wind
3. Why might a crew heave-to in suitable conditions?
To slow the boat and create a more settled condition
To sail directly into the wind without making leeway
To achieve the boat's highest possible speed
To anchor without lowering an anchor
4. What is apparent wind?
The forecast wind adjusted for expected gusts
The wind experienced aboard, resulting from true wind and the boat's motion
The wind measured only while the boat is stationary
The airflow created exclusively by another vessel's wake
5. A yacht is pointing north, but a strong current carries it toward the northeast. Which statement best describes the situation?
Its heading and course over ground are both northeast
Its heading is northeast, but its course over ground is north
Its heading is north, but its course over ground is northeast
Its heading and course over ground are both north
6. A sailing boat needs to reach a destination directly upwind. What will it generally need to do?
Tack back and forth on alternating close-hauled courses
Sail straight into the wind with both sails eased
Sail on a run and steer toward the destination
Heave-to until the wind shifts behind the boat
7. On which point of sail is the wind generally coming from behind the beam but not directly astern?
Close-hauled
Beam reach
Broad reach
In irons
8. What does a boat speed of one knot mean?
One statute mile per hour
One nautical mile per hour
One nautical mile per minute
One kilometre per hour
9. Which knot is commonly used to create a fixed loop at the end of a line?
Bowline
Clove hitch
Reef knot
Figure-eight stopper knot
10. While sailing close-hauled, the sails begin to luff because the bow has turned too close to the wind. What is the usual correction?
Steer directly downwind while keeping the sails close-hauled
Turn farther into the wind and ease the sails fully
Move the boom across without changing course
Bear away slightly until the sails fill
11. Dark clouds are approaching, the wind is strengthening, and the boat is carrying full sail. Why might the crew reef early?
To increase sail area before the wind arrives
To reduce sail area and keep the boat easier to control
To shift the boat's draft farther forward
To stop the sails producing any forward drive
12. You need to secure a dock line to a horn cleat. Which method is designed for that purpose?
Tie a sheet bend around one horn
Form a bowline without placing it over the cleat
Make a cleat hitch with turns around the cleat
Use only repeated half hitches around the line itself
13. The wind is blowing from west to east across a boat. Which side is the leeward side?
The west side, because it faces the incoming wind
The bow, regardless of the boat's heading
The side on which the mainsail is always attached
The east side, because it is away from the incoming wind
14. A chart shows 2.1 metres of water at chart datum, and the tide currently adds 1.4 metres. Ignoring other effects, what is the estimated water depth?
0.7 metres
2.4 metres
1.4 metres
3.5 metres
15. Two power-driven vessels are crossing with risk of collision, and the other vessel is on your starboard side. Under the standard crossing rule, what is your vessel's role?
Act early and substantially to keep out of the other vessel's way
Increase speed so the other vessel can pass astern
Wait until close range before deciding whether to manoeuvre
Maintain course because vessels on the left always give way
16. A person falls overboard from a crewed sailing boat. What should someone on deck do immediately?
Go below to retrieve dry clothing
Shout the alarm, maintain visual contact, and point toward the person
Turn away from the person to prepare the sails
Start the engine before telling anyone