MISSOURI BOATING LICENSE PRACTICE
SCRIPT UPDATED 2026 TESTED SOLUTIONS
⫸ stern Answer: Rear of a vessel
⫸ starboard Answer: Right side of a vessel
⫸ Port Answer: Left side of a vessel
⫸ Hull Answer: Body of a vessel
⫸ Gunwale Answer: Upper edge of vessel's side (generally pronounced
"gunnel")
⫸ Cleat Answer: Metal fitting on which a rope can be fastened
⫸ Propeller Answer: Rotates and powers a boat forward or backward
⫸ beam Answer: Maximum width of a vessel
⫸ Freeboard Answer: Distance from water to lowest point of the boat
where water could come on board
, ⫸ Draft Answer: Depth of water needed to float a vessel
⫸ keel Answer: Main centerline (backbone) of a vessel or the extension
of hull that increases stability in the water
⫸ Hull-Displacement Answer: There are two basic types of boat hulls—
displacement and planing.
Boats with displacement hulls move through the water by pushing the
water aside and are designed to cut through the water with very little
propulsion.
If you lower a boat into the water, some of the water moves out of the
way to adjust for the boat. If you could weigh that displaced water, you
would find it equals the weight of the boat. That weight is the boat's
displacement.
Boats with displacement hulls are limited to slower speeds.
A round-bottomed hull shape acts as a displacement hull. Most large
cruisers and most sailboats have displacement hulls, allowing them to
travel more smoothly through the water.
⫸ Hull-Planing Answer: There are two basic types of boat hulls—
displacement and planing.
Boats with planing hulls are designed to rise up and glide on top of the
water when enough power is supplied. These boats may operate like
SCRIPT UPDATED 2026 TESTED SOLUTIONS
⫸ stern Answer: Rear of a vessel
⫸ starboard Answer: Right side of a vessel
⫸ Port Answer: Left side of a vessel
⫸ Hull Answer: Body of a vessel
⫸ Gunwale Answer: Upper edge of vessel's side (generally pronounced
"gunnel")
⫸ Cleat Answer: Metal fitting on which a rope can be fastened
⫸ Propeller Answer: Rotates and powers a boat forward or backward
⫸ beam Answer: Maximum width of a vessel
⫸ Freeboard Answer: Distance from water to lowest point of the boat
where water could come on board
, ⫸ Draft Answer: Depth of water needed to float a vessel
⫸ keel Answer: Main centerline (backbone) of a vessel or the extension
of hull that increases stability in the water
⫸ Hull-Displacement Answer: There are two basic types of boat hulls—
displacement and planing.
Boats with displacement hulls move through the water by pushing the
water aside and are designed to cut through the water with very little
propulsion.
If you lower a boat into the water, some of the water moves out of the
way to adjust for the boat. If you could weigh that displaced water, you
would find it equals the weight of the boat. That weight is the boat's
displacement.
Boats with displacement hulls are limited to slower speeds.
A round-bottomed hull shape acts as a displacement hull. Most large
cruisers and most sailboats have displacement hulls, allowing them to
travel more smoothly through the water.
⫸ Hull-Planing Answer: There are two basic types of boat hulls—
displacement and planing.
Boats with planing hulls are designed to rise up and glide on top of the
water when enough power is supplied. These boats may operate like
