DOCKING CLINIC ASA 118 EXAM
UPDATED 2025-2026 QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS
What are the 4 forces affecting docking? - CORRECT ANSWER ✅ 1. Prop Wash
2. Prop Wash
3. Wind
4. Current
How does Prop Walk affect boat speed and orientation? - CORRECT ANSWER ✅ In
reverse gear Prop Walk moves the stern to the LEFT (for right handed propeller). More
speed reverse, more the stern turns left.
How does Wind affect boat speed and orientation? - CORRECT ANSWER ✅ In a cross
wind the bow turns downwind faster than the stern. Cross wind blows bow downwind.
How does Current affect boat speed and orientation? - CORRECT ANSWER ✅ Cross
current sets ENTIRE boat down current.
Backing out of slip what to consider? - CORRECT ANSWER ✅ Wind direction
Considerations and Procedure Backing out of slip with wind from ahead and cross?
(Blowing straight out of slip or cross wind) - CORRECT ANSWER ✅ - Consider that wind
threatens to blow bow into piling as you turn while backing out
Use a doubled over midship spring line on the lee side to turn/pivot the boat
while backing out
or alternatively use a doubled-over bow line windwards to control the bow
, Consideration and Procedure Backing out of slip with wind from astern and cross? (Wind
blows into the slip) - CORRECT ANSWER ✅ - This is called turning to windward:
consider that cross wind blowing into the fairway or wind blow into the slip may prevent
boat while turning to clear the end piling
back away as far as possible before going into forward gear
Heading bow first out of a slip with wind from across - wind blowing against intended
exit direction- heading out with opposing wind? - CORRECT ANSWER ✅ Consider:
Turning into fairway will be harder. Wind pushes bow against opposite docks.
Use a midship spring line windward to help turn the boat sooner (pivot) to avoid striking
the slips across the fairway.
Parallel undocking when easy and when harder? - CORRECT ANSWER ✅ Windward
dock easy, lee dock hard. Also, boats in front or aft can make it harder.
Parallel docking departure with wind blowing away from the dock - procedure? -
CORRECT ANSWER ✅ Release lines and let wind blow you away from dock while gently
engage and disengage engine
Parallel docking departure from lee, wind blowing onto the dock-procedure? - CORRECT
ANSWER ✅ - Stern out preferable over bow out
Springing stern off dock by turning rudder slightly towards dock (prop wash
helps) and power stern away while using doubled over spring line at the bow and
a handheld fender at the bow
Springing bow off dock by powering (forward) away from the dock in reverse
gear while doubled over spring line at the stern pivots boat. Use a manual fender
UPDATED 2025-2026 QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS
What are the 4 forces affecting docking? - CORRECT ANSWER ✅ 1. Prop Wash
2. Prop Wash
3. Wind
4. Current
How does Prop Walk affect boat speed and orientation? - CORRECT ANSWER ✅ In
reverse gear Prop Walk moves the stern to the LEFT (for right handed propeller). More
speed reverse, more the stern turns left.
How does Wind affect boat speed and orientation? - CORRECT ANSWER ✅ In a cross
wind the bow turns downwind faster than the stern. Cross wind blows bow downwind.
How does Current affect boat speed and orientation? - CORRECT ANSWER ✅ Cross
current sets ENTIRE boat down current.
Backing out of slip what to consider? - CORRECT ANSWER ✅ Wind direction
Considerations and Procedure Backing out of slip with wind from ahead and cross?
(Blowing straight out of slip or cross wind) - CORRECT ANSWER ✅ - Consider that wind
threatens to blow bow into piling as you turn while backing out
Use a doubled over midship spring line on the lee side to turn/pivot the boat
while backing out
or alternatively use a doubled-over bow line windwards to control the bow
, Consideration and Procedure Backing out of slip with wind from astern and cross? (Wind
blows into the slip) - CORRECT ANSWER ✅ - This is called turning to windward:
consider that cross wind blowing into the fairway or wind blow into the slip may prevent
boat while turning to clear the end piling
back away as far as possible before going into forward gear
Heading bow first out of a slip with wind from across - wind blowing against intended
exit direction- heading out with opposing wind? - CORRECT ANSWER ✅ Consider:
Turning into fairway will be harder. Wind pushes bow against opposite docks.
Use a midship spring line windward to help turn the boat sooner (pivot) to avoid striking
the slips across the fairway.
Parallel undocking when easy and when harder? - CORRECT ANSWER ✅ Windward
dock easy, lee dock hard. Also, boats in front or aft can make it harder.
Parallel docking departure with wind blowing away from the dock - procedure? -
CORRECT ANSWER ✅ Release lines and let wind blow you away from dock while gently
engage and disengage engine
Parallel docking departure from lee, wind blowing onto the dock-procedure? - CORRECT
ANSWER ✅ - Stern out preferable over bow out
Springing stern off dock by turning rudder slightly towards dock (prop wash
helps) and power stern away while using doubled over spring line at the bow and
a handheld fender at the bow
Springing bow off dock by powering (forward) away from the dock in reverse
gear while doubled over spring line at the stern pivots boat. Use a manual fender
