ASA 118 – Docking Endorsement
Practice Exam Questions and Correct
Answers (Verified) Plus Rationales
2026 Q&A | Instant Download PDF
Q1. What is the primary factor that affects docking maneuvers?
• A) Compass heading
• B) Tidal currents and wind ✓
• C) Battery charge level
• D) Engine oil temperature
Rationale: Docking is most influenced by external forces such as current and wind,
which significantly affect boat handling .
Q2. What are the four forces affecting docking?
• A) Wind, Waves, Tide, Temperature
• B) Prop Wash, Prop Walk, Wind, Current
• C) Engine, Rudder, Sails, Anchor
• D) Speed, Direction, Draft, Weight
Rationale: The four key forces affecting docking maneuvers are propeller wash,
propeller walk, wind, and current .
Q3. What effect does prop walk have on a single-screw boat in reverse?
• A) The boat moves sideways in forward
• B) The stern moves sideways in reverse ✓
• C) The boat turns more easily
• D) The engine stalls
Rationale: Prop walk causes the stern to move laterally in reverse due to propeller
rotation direction .
,Q4. In which direction does a right-hand propeller tend to walk the stern in
reverse?
• A) Port ✓
• B) Forward
• C) Starboard
• D) Downwind
Rationale: A right-handed propeller in reverse pulls the stern to port (left). Most
right-handed propellers cause the stern to walk to port when in reverse .
Q5. What effect does a left-hand propeller have in reverse?
• A) Stern walks to port
• B) Stern walks to starboard ✓
• C) No walk effect
• D) Boat goes straight
Rationale: A left-hand propeller spins counter-clockwise in reverse, pulling the stern
to the right (starboard) .
Q6. What is the most effective way to stop forward motion when approaching a
dock?
• A) Increase throttle in forward
• B) Shift to neutral and wait
• C) Turn the wheel hard to starboard
• D) Apply reverse thrust ✓
Rationale: Applying reverse thrust counteracts forward momentum and brings the
boat to a stop safely. Reverse thrust should be applied in short, controlled bursts .
Q7. What is the best approach angle when docking in calm conditions?
, • A) 90 degrees
• B) 60 degrees
• C) 30 to 45 degrees ✓
• D) Parallel
Rationale: A 30-45 degree approach angle allows the helmsman to adjust speed and
position while maintaining control .
Q8. What is the key speed principle when approaching a dock?
• A) Approach at maximum speed
• B) Approach at the minimum speed necessary for control ✓
• C) Maintain cruising speed
• D) Use full throttle
Rationale: Low speed allows time to react and reduces damage from potential
impact .
Q9. What is the main danger when docking too fast?
• A) You miss the dock
• B) Damage to the boat or dock ✓
• C) You don't tie off
• D) The boat won't respond
Rationale: Momentum increases with speed and can cause serious impact damage if
control is lost .
Q10. What is the most challenging wind condition for docking?
• A) Headwind
• B) Tailwind
• C) Strong wind on the beam (crosswind) ✓
• D) No wind
, Rationale: Beam wind pushes the boat sideways, complicating alignment and
increasing collision risk .
Q11. What is the best method to account for a strong crosswind when docking?
• A) Dock with the wind
• B) Ignore it
• C) Approach at a steeper angle and use reverse to correct drift ✓
• D) Use full throttle
Rationale: A steeper approach angle and timely reverse corrections help offset the
boat's sideways drift caused by crosswind .
Q12. Which docking technique compensates for lateral drift from current?
• A) Sidling
• B) Crabbing into current (bow angled upstream) ✓
• C) Broadside approach
• D) Full reverse
Rationale: Pointing the bow slightly into the current reduces sideways drift—a
technique called "crabbing" .
Q13. How does a crosswind affect a single-screw vessel during docking?
• A) Pushes bow into dock
• B) Pushes stern sideways equally
• C) The bow turns downwind faster than the stern ✓
• D) No effect on the vessel
Rationale: The bow has more windage and less lateral resistance, causing it to turn
downwind faster than the stern .
Practice Exam Questions and Correct
Answers (Verified) Plus Rationales
2026 Q&A | Instant Download PDF
Q1. What is the primary factor that affects docking maneuvers?
• A) Compass heading
• B) Tidal currents and wind ✓
• C) Battery charge level
• D) Engine oil temperature
Rationale: Docking is most influenced by external forces such as current and wind,
which significantly affect boat handling .
Q2. What are the four forces affecting docking?
• A) Wind, Waves, Tide, Temperature
• B) Prop Wash, Prop Walk, Wind, Current
• C) Engine, Rudder, Sails, Anchor
• D) Speed, Direction, Draft, Weight
Rationale: The four key forces affecting docking maneuvers are propeller wash,
propeller walk, wind, and current .
Q3. What effect does prop walk have on a single-screw boat in reverse?
• A) The boat moves sideways in forward
• B) The stern moves sideways in reverse ✓
• C) The boat turns more easily
• D) The engine stalls
Rationale: Prop walk causes the stern to move laterally in reverse due to propeller
rotation direction .
,Q4. In which direction does a right-hand propeller tend to walk the stern in
reverse?
• A) Port ✓
• B) Forward
• C) Starboard
• D) Downwind
Rationale: A right-handed propeller in reverse pulls the stern to port (left). Most
right-handed propellers cause the stern to walk to port when in reverse .
Q5. What effect does a left-hand propeller have in reverse?
• A) Stern walks to port
• B) Stern walks to starboard ✓
• C) No walk effect
• D) Boat goes straight
Rationale: A left-hand propeller spins counter-clockwise in reverse, pulling the stern
to the right (starboard) .
Q6. What is the most effective way to stop forward motion when approaching a
dock?
• A) Increase throttle in forward
• B) Shift to neutral and wait
• C) Turn the wheel hard to starboard
• D) Apply reverse thrust ✓
Rationale: Applying reverse thrust counteracts forward momentum and brings the
boat to a stop safely. Reverse thrust should be applied in short, controlled bursts .
Q7. What is the best approach angle when docking in calm conditions?
, • A) 90 degrees
• B) 60 degrees
• C) 30 to 45 degrees ✓
• D) Parallel
Rationale: A 30-45 degree approach angle allows the helmsman to adjust speed and
position while maintaining control .
Q8. What is the key speed principle when approaching a dock?
• A) Approach at maximum speed
• B) Approach at the minimum speed necessary for control ✓
• C) Maintain cruising speed
• D) Use full throttle
Rationale: Low speed allows time to react and reduces damage from potential
impact .
Q9. What is the main danger when docking too fast?
• A) You miss the dock
• B) Damage to the boat or dock ✓
• C) You don't tie off
• D) The boat won't respond
Rationale: Momentum increases with speed and can cause serious impact damage if
control is lost .
Q10. What is the most challenging wind condition for docking?
• A) Headwind
• B) Tailwind
• C) Strong wind on the beam (crosswind) ✓
• D) No wind
, Rationale: Beam wind pushes the boat sideways, complicating alignment and
increasing collision risk .
Q11. What is the best method to account for a strong crosswind when docking?
• A) Dock with the wind
• B) Ignore it
• C) Approach at a steeper angle and use reverse to correct drift ✓
• D) Use full throttle
Rationale: A steeper approach angle and timely reverse corrections help offset the
boat's sideways drift caused by crosswind .
Q12. Which docking technique compensates for lateral drift from current?
• A) Sidling
• B) Crabbing into current (bow angled upstream) ✓
• C) Broadside approach
• D) Full reverse
Rationale: Pointing the bow slightly into the current reduces sideways drift—a
technique called "crabbing" .
Q13. How does a crosswind affect a single-screw vessel during docking?
• A) Pushes bow into dock
• B) Pushes stern sideways equally
• C) The bow turns downwind faster than the stern ✓
• D) No effect on the vessel
Rationale: The bow has more windage and less lateral resistance, causing it to turn
downwind faster than the stern .
