ASA 101 Basic Keelboat Sailing
Certification Exam QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES. | Verified Questions
ASA 101 Basic Keelboat Sailing Certification Exam |
Comprehensive Examination
ASA 101 Basic Keelboat Sailing Certification Exam
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES. actual exam preparation document with
INTRODUCTION
This document is an important and very helpful preparation
resource for ASA 101 Basic Keelboat Sailing Certification
Exam QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES.. Every item uses a focused exam stem, four
response options, a keyed response, and a clear rationale,
making it easier to understand the subject, spot distractors, and
build real exam confidence.
Page 1
, Question 1
A keelboat sailing close-hauled on starboard tack and a power-driven vessel
are on crossing courses with risk of collision. Under COLREGs, which
statement is correct?
A. The power-driven vessel is the give-way vessel and must keep clear.
B. The sailing vessel must keep clear because it is the more maneuverable
craft.
C. Neither vessel is burdened; both must alter course to starboard.
D. The sailing vessel is the stand-on vessel only if it is overtaking.
Correct Answer: A - The power-driven vessel is the give-way
vessel and must keep clear.
RATIONALE
Rule 18 gives power-driven vessels the duty to keep clear of sailing
vessels in crossing situations, so the powerboat is give-way. The
sailing vessel is stand-on and must hold course and speed. Options B
and C invert the hierarchy, and D misstates the overtaking rule.
Question 2
While close-hauled in moderate breeze, the mainsail luffs but the jib draws.
The most probable cause and correction is:
A. Main is over-sheeted; ease the mainsheet until luffing stops.
B. Main is under-sheeted; trim the mainsheet until the telltales stream.
C. Boat is pinching; bear away slightly and trim both sails.
D. Jib is over-trimmed; ease the jib to match the main.
Correct Answer: B - Main is under-sheeted; trim the mainsheet
until the telltales stream.
Page 2
, RATIONALE
A luffing main with a drawing jib indicates the main is under-trimmed
relative to the jib. Trimming the mainsheet restores flow and balance.
Easing the main (A) worsens luffing, and pinching (C) or jib
adjustment (D) does not address the main's under-trim.
Question 3
A red nun buoy and a green can buoy mark a channel. Approaching from
seaward in the U.S., the preferred channel is:
A. Between the red nun and green can, favoring the red nun to port.
B. Between the red nun and green can, favoring the green can to
starboard.
C. Outside both buoys to avoid shoaling.
D. The side with the red nun only, as green cans mark obstructions.
Correct Answer: A - Between the red nun and green can, favoring
the red nun to port.
RATIONALE
Under U.S. IALA-B, red nun buoys mark the starboard side of the
channel when returning from sea, so a vessel entering from seaward
keeps the red nun to port. Green cans mark the port side. Options B
and D reverse the buoyage, and C ignores the marked channel.
Question 4
Which sequence correctly describes the points of sail as the boat bears away
from close-hauled to a run?
A. Close-hauled, close reach, beam reach, broad reach, run
B. Close-hauled, beam reach, close reach, broad reach, run
C. Close-hauled, broad reach, beam reach, close reach, run
D. Close-hauled, run, broad reach, beam reach, close reach
Correct Answer: A - Close-hauled, close reach, beam reach,
Page 3
, broad reach, run
RATIONALE
Bearing away increases the angle between heading and wind:
close-hauled, close reach, beam reach, broad reach, then run. Option B
misorders close and beam reach; C and D scramble the progression.
Question 5
During a spinnaker hoist, the sail fills with a twist and the boat heels
excessively. The most effective immediate correction is:
A. Ease the spinnaker sheet until the sail collapses.
B. Trim the spinnaker sheet and ease the guy to remove the twist.
C. Bear away to blanket the spinnaker behind the main.
D. Harden the afterguy and sheet equally to flatten the sail.
Correct Answer: B - Trim the spinnaker sheet and ease the guy to
remove the twist.
RATIONALE
A twisted spinnaker with excessive heel indicates the guy is
over-trimmed and the sheet under-trimmed; easing the guy and
trimming the sheet removes twist and reduces heel. Easing the sheet
(A) collapses the sail, bearing away (C) increases heel, and hardening
both (D) worsens the twist.
Question 6
A weather forecast predicts a cold front passage with a wind shift from SW to
NW and gusts to 25 knots. The best seamanship response before the front
arrives is:
A. Reef the main and reduce headsail, then sail a course that keeps the
boat off a lee shore.
B. Hoist all sail to make progress before the front.
C. Anchor in the lee of a breakwater and wait.
Page 4
Certification Exam QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES. | Verified Questions
ASA 101 Basic Keelboat Sailing Certification Exam |
Comprehensive Examination
ASA 101 Basic Keelboat Sailing Certification Exam
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES. actual exam preparation document with
INTRODUCTION
This document is an important and very helpful preparation
resource for ASA 101 Basic Keelboat Sailing Certification
Exam QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES.. Every item uses a focused exam stem, four
response options, a keyed response, and a clear rationale,
making it easier to understand the subject, spot distractors, and
build real exam confidence.
Page 1
, Question 1
A keelboat sailing close-hauled on starboard tack and a power-driven vessel
are on crossing courses with risk of collision. Under COLREGs, which
statement is correct?
A. The power-driven vessel is the give-way vessel and must keep clear.
B. The sailing vessel must keep clear because it is the more maneuverable
craft.
C. Neither vessel is burdened; both must alter course to starboard.
D. The sailing vessel is the stand-on vessel only if it is overtaking.
Correct Answer: A - The power-driven vessel is the give-way
vessel and must keep clear.
RATIONALE
Rule 18 gives power-driven vessels the duty to keep clear of sailing
vessels in crossing situations, so the powerboat is give-way. The
sailing vessel is stand-on and must hold course and speed. Options B
and C invert the hierarchy, and D misstates the overtaking rule.
Question 2
While close-hauled in moderate breeze, the mainsail luffs but the jib draws.
The most probable cause and correction is:
A. Main is over-sheeted; ease the mainsheet until luffing stops.
B. Main is under-sheeted; trim the mainsheet until the telltales stream.
C. Boat is pinching; bear away slightly and trim both sails.
D. Jib is over-trimmed; ease the jib to match the main.
Correct Answer: B - Main is under-sheeted; trim the mainsheet
until the telltales stream.
Page 2
, RATIONALE
A luffing main with a drawing jib indicates the main is under-trimmed
relative to the jib. Trimming the mainsheet restores flow and balance.
Easing the main (A) worsens luffing, and pinching (C) or jib
adjustment (D) does not address the main's under-trim.
Question 3
A red nun buoy and a green can buoy mark a channel. Approaching from
seaward in the U.S., the preferred channel is:
A. Between the red nun and green can, favoring the red nun to port.
B. Between the red nun and green can, favoring the green can to
starboard.
C. Outside both buoys to avoid shoaling.
D. The side with the red nun only, as green cans mark obstructions.
Correct Answer: A - Between the red nun and green can, favoring
the red nun to port.
RATIONALE
Under U.S. IALA-B, red nun buoys mark the starboard side of the
channel when returning from sea, so a vessel entering from seaward
keeps the red nun to port. Green cans mark the port side. Options B
and D reverse the buoyage, and C ignores the marked channel.
Question 4
Which sequence correctly describes the points of sail as the boat bears away
from close-hauled to a run?
A. Close-hauled, close reach, beam reach, broad reach, run
B. Close-hauled, beam reach, close reach, broad reach, run
C. Close-hauled, broad reach, beam reach, close reach, run
D. Close-hauled, run, broad reach, beam reach, close reach
Correct Answer: A - Close-hauled, close reach, beam reach,
Page 3
, broad reach, run
RATIONALE
Bearing away increases the angle between heading and wind:
close-hauled, close reach, beam reach, broad reach, then run. Option B
misorders close and beam reach; C and D scramble the progression.
Question 5
During a spinnaker hoist, the sail fills with a twist and the boat heels
excessively. The most effective immediate correction is:
A. Ease the spinnaker sheet until the sail collapses.
B. Trim the spinnaker sheet and ease the guy to remove the twist.
C. Bear away to blanket the spinnaker behind the main.
D. Harden the afterguy and sheet equally to flatten the sail.
Correct Answer: B - Trim the spinnaker sheet and ease the guy to
remove the twist.
RATIONALE
A twisted spinnaker with excessive heel indicates the guy is
over-trimmed and the sheet under-trimmed; easing the guy and
trimming the sheet removes twist and reduces heel. Easing the sheet
(A) collapses the sail, bearing away (C) increases heel, and hardening
both (D) worsens the twist.
Question 6
A weather forecast predicts a cold front passage with a wind shift from SW to
NW and gusts to 25 knots. The best seamanship response before the front
arrives is:
A. Reef the main and reduce headsail, then sail a course that keeps the
boat off a lee shore.
B. Hoist all sail to make progress before the front.
C. Anchor in the lee of a breakwater and wait.
Page 4
