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1. You fall overboard and a rope is thrown to you.  What Knot should you use to tie the rope to your harness ?

Square Knot or Sheet Bend.
Cleat Hitch.
A Clove Hitch.
A Bowline or Fisherman's Bend.

2.  Which knot used to tie two ropes together?

Square Knot or Sheet Bend.
Cleat Hitch.
A Clove Hitch.
A Bowline or Fisherman's Bend.

3.  Which statement is TRUE about rope ?

Kevlar is a stronger rope than either Nylon or Dacron.
A woven three strand rope is stronger than a braided rope.
A braided nylon rope has the most stretch.
A knot will not appreciably decrease the strength of a rope.

4.  You wish to choose a dock line which has maximum stretch for your 30 foot sailboat, what type of rope would you choose ?

  Braided Dacron
  Three strand Dacron
  Braided Nylon
  Three strand Nylon
  Kevlar

5.  A novice sailor may use the following as a guide:  For maximum sailing efficiency, in mild to moderate winds, how far back from the luff (front edge of the sail) should the draft (point of maximum sail curvature) of a sail be ?

  10%
  30%
  45%
  60%
  The sail should be as flat as possible.
  The sail should be cupped.

6. The point of sail where the wind is blowing at a 90 degree angle to the long axis of the sailboat is a ?

  Beam Reach
  Broad Reach
  Close Reach
  Running
  Close Hauled
  In Irons

7. The Horn Signal used for a sailboat making way in fog or reduced visibility conditions is ?

  Three Short Blasts
  One Long Blast and Three Short Blasts
  Five Short Blasts
  Three Long Blasts
  One Long Blast and Two Short Blasts

8.  Which statement is TRUE :

  A sailboat on a port tack has the right of way when encountering a sailboat on a starboard tack.
  A sailboat must give way when it is overtaking a recreational powerboat.
  The sailboat downwind must give way to an upwind boat.
  A sailboat has the right of way when approaching a commercial fishing boat engaged in fishing.
  A sailboat has the right of way when approaching a tugboat pushing barges.

9.  Which line or cable does not attach to the top of the mast ?

  Boom Vang
  Backstay
  Boom Topping Lift
  Headstay
  Shroud

10.  Which line attaches to the bottom of a sail and is used to position or trim the sail ?

  Halyard
  Lifeline
  Rode
  Sheet

11.  A line which is attached to the end of the boom and run forward while running with the wind, to prevent the boom from swinging during an accidental jibe,  is called a:

  Safety Line
  Rode
  Forward Sheet
  Preventer
  Halyard

12.  What type of a VHF call is for urgent assistance where there is not a grave imminent danger to the vessel or crew ?

  May Day
  Pan-pan
  Securite
  611

13  What is a chain plate ?

  The anchor is attached to it.
  It is used to attach the stanchion to the deck.
  It is used to attach the shroud to the deck.
  The plate which attaches the boom to the mast.
  Attaches the boom topping lift to the top of the mast.

14.  The prop walk generated by a right-handed prop will be expected to move a heavy-displacement cruiser sailboat initially in which direction when the motor's transmission is put in reverse ?

  Swing the stern to port
  Swing the bow to port
  Swing the stern to starboard
  Swing the bow to port
  Move the boat backwards

15.  Your sailboat is sailing at night.  What is the light configuration which should be displayed ?

A single white light on the mast
A white light shown 360 degrees, a red light to port and a green light to starboard
A white light shown 360 degrees, a green light to port and a red light to starboard
A white light shown aft (towards the stern), a red light to port and a green light to starboard
A white light shown aft (towards the stern), a green light to port and a red light to starboard

16.  As a general guideline, what is the ratio (scope) of how much rode (anchor line) to be let out to the depth of the water ?   Assume a combination chain and rope anchor in mild wind and seas.

1 to 1
3 to 1
7 to 1
10 to 1
14 to 1

17.  You are at anchor in a 35 foot LOA sailboat.  You have anchored in 25 feet of water and have let out 125 feet of chain rode.  The distance from the deck at the bow pulpit of your boat to the waterline is 4 feet.  What is the swing radius your boat may make around the anchor ?    (Note:  No one would ever calculate this for anchoring, however the question is present not just for fun but to familiarize you with the terms used in the calculation of the answer.)

  150 feet
  155 feet
  157 feet
  159 feet
  160 feet

18.  You find a sailor on deck who has severe shivering, has slurred speech and is starting to loose manual dexterity.  You should do the following:

  Give him stimulants such as coffee.
  Take the sailor down below and slowly warm him by applying external compresses or body heat.
  Rapidly warm the sailor.
  Massage his limbs to get his circulation going.

19.   You have to have your charter back at 4:30 PM it is now 3:45 PM.  Your current heading is directly toward the dock.  You are 3.7 nautical miles from the dock.   What speed will you have to travel to arrive at the dock in 35 mins. ?   

  5.86 Knots
  6.05 Knots
  6.27 Knots
  6.34 Knots
  6.53 Knots

20.  The battery power switch should be set on the following :

Place the switch on "1" before starting the engine and "All" after the engine is shut off.  This will allow maximum power when under sail.
Place the switch on "All" before starting the engine and to "1" or "2" right after the engine is turned off.
Place the switch on "All" before starting the engine and to "1" or "2" right after the engine starts running.
Always have the switch on "ALL" so both batteries are always used.

21.  The following is FALSE about an inboard diesel motor:

The "glow plug" control is turned on before starting the engine.
The engine is turned off by turning the ignition key to the off position.
The engine is turned off by killing the diesel fuel to the engine.
Before starting the engine, you should check the sea water coolant system by making sure the sea-strainer is not clogged.
After the engine starts, make sure it is spitting sea water out the exhaust port.

22.  You are in high wind conditions and must go to the mast to reef in the sails.  You are going to use your safety harness.  You should NOT attach your safety harness's tether to the following:

Life lines
Around the mast
To a heavy ring on the mast
To a heavy ring on the center of the deck
To a jackline

Identify the following structures on the diagrams to the right:   Click on the Pictures to Enlarge !!!

23.  Clew    1  2  3  4  5  6   7   8

24.  Tack   1  2  3  4  5  6  7   8

25.  Luff    1 2  3  4 5  6  7  8

26.  Cunningham Cringle 1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8

27.  Leech   1  2  3  4  5  6  7   8
                                                               
                                                                                   
                                                          
                                                             
                                                               
                                                      
                                                              
                                                             
                                                                          

28.  Boom Vang   A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H

29.  Stanchion   A  B  C  D E  F  G  H

30.  Shroud   A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H

31.  Headstay  A B  C  D  E  F  G  H

32.  Boom Topping Lift  A  B  C  D  E F  G  H

33.  A high tide most often occurs how many times a day (although this may vary in different regions) ?

  Once a day.
  Twice a day.
  Three Times a day.
  Four Times a day.

34.  The picture on the right shows a sailboat that is :
 (Picture Courtesy of Whitaker Creek Yacht Harbor, NC)      click on picture to enlarge

  In danger of running aground because it is traveling between two daymarks.
  Is in deep water and about to lay anchor.
  Is leaving a harbor.
  Is approaching a harbor.
    

35.  Which of the following is true regarding the security zone around military, cruise and large merchant ships (such as an oil tanker) ?

The security zone is 1000 yards around all vessels.
The security zone is 250 yards around military vessel, ( 100 yards non-approach zone and another 150 yards zone with reduced speed  to the minimum speed to allow steerage. )
The non-approach security zone around military vessels is 500 yards and 100 yards around commercial shipping.
The reduced speed security zone to allow for steerage around all vessels is 100 yards .
The security zone is 500 yards around military vessel, ( 100 yards non-approach zone and another 400 yards zone with reduced speed  to the minimum speed to allow steerage. )

36.  Excessive heeling of a sailboat may :

Increase the leeway or lateral drift of the boat with the wind
because the keel is no longer near vertical.
Makes the boat harder to steer,
Slows the boat.
If a heavy iron keel is present, a heeling error in compass
readings may occur.
All of the Above
 

Advanced Questions: 

1A.  You are planning to charter a sailboat.  The boat has the following specifications: 

 Using the calculators in this website you predict:   

        

The boat slow in light winds but  is very stable.
Stability is NOT predicted by the Capsize Screening Formula
       but the boat is fast in light winds.
Stability is predicted by the Capsize Screening Formula but the boat is slow in light winds.
It has a theoretical hull speed of over 8 knots.

2A.  What is the estimated Angle of Ultimate Stability for this boat: 

  117 degrees
  127 degrees
  136 degrees
  142 degrees
  149 degrees

3A.  You are off shore in a sailboat in a Strong Gale, what would you consider to be the most valuable ?

  To be in a boat which has shown to be stable by the screening stability equation.
  To be in a boat with a high angle ( greater than 140 degrees ) of vanishing stability.
  To be in a boat with an experienced crew and the avoidance of extreme breaking waves.

4A.  Your sailboat is in a storm with 28k winds.    Your jib's sail area is 250 sq feet.    You have a winch with a 5:1 gear ratio and a 4 inch diameter drum and a 10 inch winch handle.  What is the total force on the sail and the force on the winch handle needed to trim the sail ?          

  422.5 lbs. of force on the jib with a winch force of 17 lbs.
  845 lbs. of force on the jib with a winch force of 34 lbs.
  1690 lbs. of force on the jib with a winch force of 68 lbs.
  3380 lbs. of force on the jib with a winch force of 54 lbs.
  6760 lbs. of force on the jib with a winch force of  68 lbs.

5A.  The wind is starting to blow stronger and you are seeing frequent white caps with some spray.  The following statement is TRUE?

  All sailboats, no matter how large will require placement of a single reefing.
  The wind velocity is probably above 15 knots and one should consider reefing.
  The wind is not strong enough to consider reefing in sailboats larger that a dingy.
  The sailing conditions are perfect for the beginner learning to sail.

6A. Which statement is FALSE regarding changing sail shape ?

  Setting the Cunningham will depower and flatten the mainsail.
  Tightening the outhaul will depower and flatten the lower 1/3 of the mainsail.
  Tightening the boom vang will raise the back of the boom and let out the top of the mainsail.
  Tightening the backstay will straighten the luff (front edge) of the jib.
  Moving the fair lead forward will tighten the jib's leech as the jib's working sheet is trimmed.

7A. Which statement is TRUE regarding navigational aids in the United States ?

When going upriver or into port one should have red buoys on the port side of the boat.
When going south on the North Carolina intracoastal waterway, red daymarks should be on the starboard side of the boat.
  One may go between two buoys or daymarks of the same color.
  It is allowed to tie up to a buoy or daymark.
  Red buoys are called cans and have flat tops.
  Red daymarks have a triangle with an odd number.

8A. Which line adjustment will place a twist in the mainsail to compensate for higher winds aloft ?

  Tightening the boom vang
  Tightening the outhaul
  Loosening the backstay
  Loosening the boom vang
  Loosening the outhaul

9A.  The top of the jib is luffing, but the bottom tell-tales are streaming backward.  To trim the top portion of the sail you should:

Tighten the jib's halyard and adjust the jib's sheet
Tighten the boom vang and adjust the jib's sheet
Move the fair lead forward and adjust the jib's sheet
Loosen the jib's sheet and adjust the jib's sheet
Move the fair lead aft and adjust the jib's sheet

10A.  All of the following are used to adjust the Jib's shape and trim EXCEPT :

  Jib's Sheet
  Jib's Halyard
  Backstay
  Fair Lead
  Boom Vang

11A.  You are sailing at 5 knots across a strait.   You encounter a 3 knot head-current develops which is 30 deg off your bow   How many degrees towards the current (Course to Steer) do you have to change your course to maintain your Course to Make Good. 

  8 degrees 
  12 degrees 
  15 degrees 
  17.5 degrees  
  20.5 degrees 

12A  Your eye level is 12 feet above the water.  At what distance, on a clear night, will you see a 76 foot lighthouse (assume ample lumificaton)?   

  10 nautical miles
  11 nautical miles
  12 nautical miles
  13 nautical miles
  14 nautical miles

13A  Which of the following will let out the main with the least change in sail shape ?   

  Traveler
  Mainsail's Sheet
  Boom Vang
  Outhaul
  Boom Topping Lift

14A   You have a nautical chart from the US west coast.  The soundings on the chart are most commonly measured using:
(Always know the units and significance of the soundings on any nautical chart you use !!)

  The lowest possible water level.
  The average of the lower tide levels (the lowest of the two daily tides).
  The average depth of all the low tide levels.
  The mean water level.
  The average of the all the high tide levels.
  The average of the highest tide level (the highest of the two daily tides).

15A  The telltale on the leeward side of the sail is luffing, the telltale on the windward side is streaming straight back.  To trim the sail you should do the following:

Sheet in the Jib.
Move the fairlead forward.
Turn the boat towards the wind.
Move the fair lead backward.

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