CALIFORNIA BOATING FINAL EXAM A
STUDY GUIDE QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
1. In California, at what blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is a person under 21 years of age
considered to be operating a vessel under the influence?
A. 0.08% or more
B. 0.01% or more
C. 0.05% or more
D. 0.10% or more
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: California law enforces a ‘zero tolerance’ policy for minors,
setting the limit at 0.01% for those under 21.
2. Which of the following is a requirement for the validation decal on a California-registered
vessel?
A. Placed within 6 inches of the stern on the port side
B. Displayed only on the starboard side of the bow
,C. Placed within 3 inches of the registration (CF) number
D. Kept in the glove compartment with the registration card
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Validation decals must be displayed within three inches of the
registration number on both sides of the vessel.
3. According to California law, what is the maximum speed when operating within 100 feet of
a bather (swimmer)?
A. 10 miles per hour
B. 5 miles per hour
C. 15 miles per hour
D. Idle speed only
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The speed limit is 5 mph when within 100 feet of a swimmer or
200 feet of a beach frequented by swimmers.
4. When two power-driven vessels are meeting head-on, what is the required action for both
operators?
A. Both should turn to starboard (right)
B. Both should turn to port (left)
C. The smaller vessel must give way
, D. The vessel on the left has the right of way
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: In a head-on situation, both vessels are give-way vessels and
must steer to starboard to pass port-to-port.
5. A sailing vessel is the stand-on vessel when encountering a power-driven vessel, EXCEPT in
which of the following scenarios?
A. The sailboat is overtaking the power-driven vessel
B. The sailboat is crossing from the right
C. The sailboat is under sail only
D. The sailboat is less than 26 feet in length
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Under Navigation Rules, any vessel (including a sailboat) that is
overtaking another is the give-way vessel.
6. What does a regulatory marker with a diamond shape containing a cross indicate?
A. Danger or obstructions
B. Controlled area (e.g., speed limit)
C. Information or directions
D. Boats keep out (exclusion area)
STUDY GUIDE QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
1. In California, at what blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is a person under 21 years of age
considered to be operating a vessel under the influence?
A. 0.08% or more
B. 0.01% or more
C. 0.05% or more
D. 0.10% or more
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: California law enforces a ‘zero tolerance’ policy for minors,
setting the limit at 0.01% for those under 21.
2. Which of the following is a requirement for the validation decal on a California-registered
vessel?
A. Placed within 6 inches of the stern on the port side
B. Displayed only on the starboard side of the bow
,C. Placed within 3 inches of the registration (CF) number
D. Kept in the glove compartment with the registration card
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Validation decals must be displayed within three inches of the
registration number on both sides of the vessel.
3. According to California law, what is the maximum speed when operating within 100 feet of
a bather (swimmer)?
A. 10 miles per hour
B. 5 miles per hour
C. 15 miles per hour
D. Idle speed only
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The speed limit is 5 mph when within 100 feet of a swimmer or
200 feet of a beach frequented by swimmers.
4. When two power-driven vessels are meeting head-on, what is the required action for both
operators?
A. Both should turn to starboard (right)
B. Both should turn to port (left)
C. The smaller vessel must give way
, D. The vessel on the left has the right of way
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: In a head-on situation, both vessels are give-way vessels and
must steer to starboard to pass port-to-port.
5. A sailing vessel is the stand-on vessel when encountering a power-driven vessel, EXCEPT in
which of the following scenarios?
A. The sailboat is overtaking the power-driven vessel
B. The sailboat is crossing from the right
C. The sailboat is under sail only
D. The sailboat is less than 26 feet in length
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Under Navigation Rules, any vessel (including a sailboat) that is
overtaking another is the give-way vessel.
6. What does a regulatory marker with a diamond shape containing a cross indicate?
A. Danger or obstructions
B. Controlled area (e.g., speed limit)
C. Information or directions
D. Boats keep out (exclusion area)
