ASA 104 – Bareboat Cruising Certification Exam 150
Practice Questions with Answers & Rationales (2026
Update) Latest Update This Year. Pdf
About the ASA 104 Exam
The ASA 104 Bareboat Cruising certification is for skippers who want to charter sailboats
independently. It certifies the ability to skipper a 30 to 45-foot sloop-rigged, auxiliary-
powered keelboat on multi-day coastal cruises in moderate to heavy winds (up to 30
knots) .
Prerequisites: ASA 101 and ASA 103
Topics Covered:
Provisioning and galley operations
Boat systems (electrical, plumbing, diesel engine)
Advanced sail trim
Coastal navigation (chart plotting, GPS)
Multiple-anchor mooring and docking
Emergency operations and MOB recovery
Weather interpretation
Dinghy/tender operation
Section 1: Provisioning & Liveaboard Management (Questions 1-20)
1. What packaging should be left behind when provisioning to avoid insects?
A) Plastic containers
B) Glass jars
C) Cardboard boxes
D) Aluminum cans
Answer: C
,Rationale: Insects are attracted to cardboard; using alternative packaging is advisable .
2. How much drinking water should be planned per person per day for a bareboat
charter?
A) One quart
B) One half gallon
C) One gallon
D) Two gallons
Answer: B
Rationale: Adequate hydration is essential for health. Approximately one half gallon of
drinking water per person per day is recommended .
3. How much total water (including washing and cooking) should be planned per
person per day?
A) One gallon
B) Two gallons
C) Five gallons
D) Ten gallons
Answer: C
Rationale: Total water usage including drinking, washing, and cooking is approximately five
gallons per person per day .
4. How many hours per day should the diesel engine be run to keep batteries charged
on a bareboat?
A) 30 minutes
B) 1 hour
C) 2 hours
D) 4 hours
Answer: C
Rationale: Regular engine operation is necessary for battery maintenance. Approximately
two hours per day is recommended .
5. What practice helps minimize refrigerator cold loss?
,A) Leave the door open while cooking
B) Pack meal items together to minimize rummaging
C) Keep the refrigerator half empty
D) Turn it off at night
Answer: B
Rationale: Organized packing reduces the time the refrigerator door is open .
6. What should be deployed before allowing crew to swim off the boat?
A) The anchor
B) The swim ladder
C) The dinghy
D) The life raft
Answer: B
Rationale: Ensures safe access to and from the water .
7. What additional safety measure should be taken when crew swim off the boat?
A) Start the engine
B) Post a lookout
C) Drop a mooring buoy
D) Turn off the VHF
Answer: B
Rationale: A lookout enhances safety by monitoring the swimmers .
8. What is a key benefit of duty rotation on board?
A) Reduces workload for the skipper
B) Provides training and experience for all crew
C) Ensures the skipper gets the best sleep
D) Allows more time for fishing
Answer: B
Rationale: Rotating duties enhances crew skills and preparedness .
9. What should be done to prevent seasickness?
A) Stay below deck
B) Drink large amounts of water quickly
, C) Rest, stay hydrated, and use anti-seasickness medication
D) Eat heavy meals
Answer: C
Rationale: Rest, hydration, and anti-seasickness medication can help mitigate the
symptoms of seasickness .
10. What activity can help reduce seasickness symptoms?
A) Going below deck
B) Taking the helm and scanning the horizon
C) Reading a book
D) Eating heavy meals
Answer: B
Rationale: Engaging in active participation can distract from nausea and improve focus .
Section 2: Boat Systems & Diesel Engine (Questions 21-45)
11. When a boat is not connected to shore power, the battery bank is recharged most
effectively by:
A) Solar panels at night
B) Wind generator
C) Engine's alternator at 1500 rpm or higher
D) Manual hand-crank
Answer: C
Rationale: The alternator recharges the batteries most effectively with the engine running at
1,500 rpm or higher .
12. What does an inverter do on a cruising sailboat?
A) Increases battery voltage
B) Converts DC electricity from battery banks to AC electricity
C) Converts AC to DC for battery charging
D) Regulates engine RPM
Answer: B
Practice Questions with Answers & Rationales (2026
Update) Latest Update This Year. Pdf
About the ASA 104 Exam
The ASA 104 Bareboat Cruising certification is for skippers who want to charter sailboats
independently. It certifies the ability to skipper a 30 to 45-foot sloop-rigged, auxiliary-
powered keelboat on multi-day coastal cruises in moderate to heavy winds (up to 30
knots) .
Prerequisites: ASA 101 and ASA 103
Topics Covered:
Provisioning and galley operations
Boat systems (electrical, plumbing, diesel engine)
Advanced sail trim
Coastal navigation (chart plotting, GPS)
Multiple-anchor mooring and docking
Emergency operations and MOB recovery
Weather interpretation
Dinghy/tender operation
Section 1: Provisioning & Liveaboard Management (Questions 1-20)
1. What packaging should be left behind when provisioning to avoid insects?
A) Plastic containers
B) Glass jars
C) Cardboard boxes
D) Aluminum cans
Answer: C
,Rationale: Insects are attracted to cardboard; using alternative packaging is advisable .
2. How much drinking water should be planned per person per day for a bareboat
charter?
A) One quart
B) One half gallon
C) One gallon
D) Two gallons
Answer: B
Rationale: Adequate hydration is essential for health. Approximately one half gallon of
drinking water per person per day is recommended .
3. How much total water (including washing and cooking) should be planned per
person per day?
A) One gallon
B) Two gallons
C) Five gallons
D) Ten gallons
Answer: C
Rationale: Total water usage including drinking, washing, and cooking is approximately five
gallons per person per day .
4. How many hours per day should the diesel engine be run to keep batteries charged
on a bareboat?
A) 30 minutes
B) 1 hour
C) 2 hours
D) 4 hours
Answer: C
Rationale: Regular engine operation is necessary for battery maintenance. Approximately
two hours per day is recommended .
5. What practice helps minimize refrigerator cold loss?
,A) Leave the door open while cooking
B) Pack meal items together to minimize rummaging
C) Keep the refrigerator half empty
D) Turn it off at night
Answer: B
Rationale: Organized packing reduces the time the refrigerator door is open .
6. What should be deployed before allowing crew to swim off the boat?
A) The anchor
B) The swim ladder
C) The dinghy
D) The life raft
Answer: B
Rationale: Ensures safe access to and from the water .
7. What additional safety measure should be taken when crew swim off the boat?
A) Start the engine
B) Post a lookout
C) Drop a mooring buoy
D) Turn off the VHF
Answer: B
Rationale: A lookout enhances safety by monitoring the swimmers .
8. What is a key benefit of duty rotation on board?
A) Reduces workload for the skipper
B) Provides training and experience for all crew
C) Ensures the skipper gets the best sleep
D) Allows more time for fishing
Answer: B
Rationale: Rotating duties enhances crew skills and preparedness .
9. What should be done to prevent seasickness?
A) Stay below deck
B) Drink large amounts of water quickly
, C) Rest, stay hydrated, and use anti-seasickness medication
D) Eat heavy meals
Answer: C
Rationale: Rest, hydration, and anti-seasickness medication can help mitigate the
symptoms of seasickness .
10. What activity can help reduce seasickness symptoms?
A) Going below deck
B) Taking the helm and scanning the horizon
C) Reading a book
D) Eating heavy meals
Answer: B
Rationale: Engaging in active participation can distract from nausea and improve focus .
Section 2: Boat Systems & Diesel Engine (Questions 21-45)
11. When a boat is not connected to shore power, the battery bank is recharged most
effectively by:
A) Solar panels at night
B) Wind generator
C) Engine's alternator at 1500 rpm or higher
D) Manual hand-crank
Answer: C
Rationale: The alternator recharges the batteries most effectively with the engine running at
1,500 rpm or higher .
12. What does an inverter do on a cruising sailboat?
A) Increases battery voltage
B) Converts DC electricity from battery banks to AC electricity
C) Converts AC to DC for battery charging
D) Regulates engine RPM
Answer: B
