ASA 104 Bareboat Cruising Certification Exam
Prep with a Review of 300 Practice Questions and
Correct Answers with Rationales/ ASA 104
Latest Practice Test (2026-2027)
1: List four items that, when packing for your charter, should be packed in carry-on
luggage rather than checked baggage.
A) Passport, credit/debit card, charter documents, prescription medications
B) Passport, sunscreen, bathing suit, snacks
C) Credit/debit card, books, camera, toiletries
D) Charter documents, snacks, hat, sunglasses -ANSWER- A) Passport,
credit/debit card, charter documents, prescription medications
Rationale: These essential items should be kept with you to avoid loss or delay,
ensuring you can board and provision the boat even if checked luggage is lost.
2: Most cruising boats have at least two bilge pumps. The __________ pump is
powered by the battery (activated when the float switch senses water in the bilge),
and the __________ pump is operated by hand.
A) Electric, manual
B) Automatic, manual
C) Manual, electric
D) Automatic, electric -ANSWER- B) Automatic, manual
Rationale: An automatic bilge pump runs on battery power when water is detected,
while a manual bilge pump requires physical operation as a backup.
3: After first determining that the dock's freshwater supply is __________, fill a
cruising sailboat's freshwater tank through the __________ __________.
A) Safe, deck plate
B) Potable, deck plate
C) Clean, hose fitting
D) Available, fill valve -ANSWER- B) Potable, deck plate
Rationale: Always confirm the water is safe (potable) before filling the tank, and
fill through the designated deck plate to avoid contamination.
1
,4: A freshwater pump cycling on and off when no one is using water indicates an
open __________ or a __________ in the plumbing.
A) Valve, blockage
B) Faucet, leak
C) Hose, crack
D) Tank, air pocket -ANSWER- B) Faucet, leak
Rationale: A pump cycling repeatedly without water use suggests a faucet left open
or a leak in the system causing pressure loss.
5: When you have finished using the propane stove, first turn off the __________
__________ and let the gas in the line burn off before you turn off the burner.
A) Propane tank
B) Solenoid switch
C) Burner valve
D) Gas regulator -ANSWER- B) Solenoid switch
Rationale: Turning off the solenoid switch first stops the flow of gas, allowing the
remaining gas in the line to burn off safely.
6: To flush the marine head, first pump in some water, then pump sufficiently to
ensure the waste reaches the __________ __________.
A) Holding tank
B) Seacock
C) Discharge valve
D) Through-hull fitting -ANSWER- A) Holding tank
Rationale: Proper flushing ensures waste moves completely into the holding tank
to prevent odors and blockages.
7: To pump out a marine holding tank, first unscrew the __________ __________
__________, then hold the __________ __________ firmly in the waste outlet.
A) Waste deck plate, pump-out nozzle
B) Holding tank cap, discharge hose
C) Deck fitting, vacuum nozzle
D) Tank valve, pumping wand -ANSWER- A) Waste deck plate, pump-out nozzle
Rationale: Opening the waste deck plate allows access for the pump-out nozzle,
which must be held firmly to prevent spills.
8: When a boat is not connected to shore-power, the battery bank is recharged most
effectively by the engine's __________ with the engine running at __________
rpm or higher.
2
,A) Alternator, 1,500
B) Generator, 1,000
C) Charger, 1,200
D) Regulator, 2,000 -ANSWER- A) Alternator, 1,500
Rationale: The engine's alternator produces the most charging current at higher
RPMs, typically 1,500 RPM or above, to effectively recharge batteries.
9: An inverter converts __________ electricity from the battery banks to
__________ electricity, allowing you to use low-wattage AC appliances when the
boat is not on shore-power.
A) AC, DC
B) DC, AC
C) High, low
D) Low, high -ANSWER- B) DC, AC
Rationale: An inverter converts DC (direct current) from batteries to AC
(alternating current) for powering standard household appliances.
10: An emergency tiller fits into the top of the __________ __________ and can
be used to steer the boat if the steering cable fails.
A) Rudder stock
B) Steering wheel
C) Rudder post
D) Tiller arm -ANSWER- A) Rudder stock
Rationale: The emergency tiller is inserted into the top of the rudder stock to
provide manual steering control when the main steering system fails.
11: Diesel engine cooling is achieved by means of two systems. Anti-freeze is used
in the pressurized system, and coolant flow is regulated by a __________.
A) Water pump
B) Thermostat
C) Heat exchanger
D) Radiator -ANSWER- B) Thermostat
Rationale: The thermostat regulates coolant flow in the pressurized internal cooling
system to maintain optimal engine temperature.
12: The engine driven __________ pump circulates seawater in the engine's raw-
water cooling system. The pump's __________ is an important spare part to have
on board.
A) Raw-water, impeller
3
, B) Water, impeller
C) Raw-water, gasket
D) Cooling, rotor -ANSWER- A) Raw-water, impeller
Rationale: The raw-water pump circulates seawater for cooling, and its impeller is
a critical spare part because it can wear out or break.
13: List four factors that affect a sailing vessel's range under power.
A) Tank capacity, engine RPM, wind and waves, current
B) Tank capacity, sail size, wind direction, crew weight
C) Engine type, fuel type, wind speed, boat length
D) Battery charge, propeller size, hull shape, anchor weight -ANSWER- A) Tank
capacity, engine RPM, wind and waves, current
Rationale: These factors directly influence fuel consumption and the vessel's
ability to maintain speed, thus affecting range under power.
14: List at least four repair items and spares that should be carried in addition to
the boat's basic tool kit.
A) Cable ties, duct tape, WD-40, multimeter
B) Spare sails, anchor chain, extra fuel, life raft
C) Cooking supplies, linens, toiletries, fishing gear
D) Extra food, bottled water, flares, charts -ANSWER- A) Cable ties, duct tape,
WD-40, multimeter
Rationale: These practical items allow for quick, temporary repairs of various
systems on board when permanent repairs are not possible.
15: The __________ style mainsail is hoisted with a halyard, where an in-mast
furling mainsail is deployed using the __________.
A) Classic, outhaul
B) Traditional, halyard
C) Classic, inhaul
D) Standard, furling line -ANSWER- A) Classic, outhaul
Rationale: A classic mainsail is raised with a halyard, while an in-mast furling
mainsail is deployed by pulling the outhaul to draw the sail out of the mast.
16: When setting a roller furling jib, it is important to control the rate at which the
sail deploys by taking a turn of the __________ line around a winch to prevent
overrides from occurring in the furling __________.
A) Furling, drum
B) Halyard, drum
4
Prep with a Review of 300 Practice Questions and
Correct Answers with Rationales/ ASA 104
Latest Practice Test (2026-2027)
1: List four items that, when packing for your charter, should be packed in carry-on
luggage rather than checked baggage.
A) Passport, credit/debit card, charter documents, prescription medications
B) Passport, sunscreen, bathing suit, snacks
C) Credit/debit card, books, camera, toiletries
D) Charter documents, snacks, hat, sunglasses -ANSWER- A) Passport,
credit/debit card, charter documents, prescription medications
Rationale: These essential items should be kept with you to avoid loss or delay,
ensuring you can board and provision the boat even if checked luggage is lost.
2: Most cruising boats have at least two bilge pumps. The __________ pump is
powered by the battery (activated when the float switch senses water in the bilge),
and the __________ pump is operated by hand.
A) Electric, manual
B) Automatic, manual
C) Manual, electric
D) Automatic, electric -ANSWER- B) Automatic, manual
Rationale: An automatic bilge pump runs on battery power when water is detected,
while a manual bilge pump requires physical operation as a backup.
3: After first determining that the dock's freshwater supply is __________, fill a
cruising sailboat's freshwater tank through the __________ __________.
A) Safe, deck plate
B) Potable, deck plate
C) Clean, hose fitting
D) Available, fill valve -ANSWER- B) Potable, deck plate
Rationale: Always confirm the water is safe (potable) before filling the tank, and
fill through the designated deck plate to avoid contamination.
1
,4: A freshwater pump cycling on and off when no one is using water indicates an
open __________ or a __________ in the plumbing.
A) Valve, blockage
B) Faucet, leak
C) Hose, crack
D) Tank, air pocket -ANSWER- B) Faucet, leak
Rationale: A pump cycling repeatedly without water use suggests a faucet left open
or a leak in the system causing pressure loss.
5: When you have finished using the propane stove, first turn off the __________
__________ and let the gas in the line burn off before you turn off the burner.
A) Propane tank
B) Solenoid switch
C) Burner valve
D) Gas regulator -ANSWER- B) Solenoid switch
Rationale: Turning off the solenoid switch first stops the flow of gas, allowing the
remaining gas in the line to burn off safely.
6: To flush the marine head, first pump in some water, then pump sufficiently to
ensure the waste reaches the __________ __________.
A) Holding tank
B) Seacock
C) Discharge valve
D) Through-hull fitting -ANSWER- A) Holding tank
Rationale: Proper flushing ensures waste moves completely into the holding tank
to prevent odors and blockages.
7: To pump out a marine holding tank, first unscrew the __________ __________
__________, then hold the __________ __________ firmly in the waste outlet.
A) Waste deck plate, pump-out nozzle
B) Holding tank cap, discharge hose
C) Deck fitting, vacuum nozzle
D) Tank valve, pumping wand -ANSWER- A) Waste deck plate, pump-out nozzle
Rationale: Opening the waste deck plate allows access for the pump-out nozzle,
which must be held firmly to prevent spills.
8: When a boat is not connected to shore-power, the battery bank is recharged most
effectively by the engine's __________ with the engine running at __________
rpm or higher.
2
,A) Alternator, 1,500
B) Generator, 1,000
C) Charger, 1,200
D) Regulator, 2,000 -ANSWER- A) Alternator, 1,500
Rationale: The engine's alternator produces the most charging current at higher
RPMs, typically 1,500 RPM or above, to effectively recharge batteries.
9: An inverter converts __________ electricity from the battery banks to
__________ electricity, allowing you to use low-wattage AC appliances when the
boat is not on shore-power.
A) AC, DC
B) DC, AC
C) High, low
D) Low, high -ANSWER- B) DC, AC
Rationale: An inverter converts DC (direct current) from batteries to AC
(alternating current) for powering standard household appliances.
10: An emergency tiller fits into the top of the __________ __________ and can
be used to steer the boat if the steering cable fails.
A) Rudder stock
B) Steering wheel
C) Rudder post
D) Tiller arm -ANSWER- A) Rudder stock
Rationale: The emergency tiller is inserted into the top of the rudder stock to
provide manual steering control when the main steering system fails.
11: Diesel engine cooling is achieved by means of two systems. Anti-freeze is used
in the pressurized system, and coolant flow is regulated by a __________.
A) Water pump
B) Thermostat
C) Heat exchanger
D) Radiator -ANSWER- B) Thermostat
Rationale: The thermostat regulates coolant flow in the pressurized internal cooling
system to maintain optimal engine temperature.
12: The engine driven __________ pump circulates seawater in the engine's raw-
water cooling system. The pump's __________ is an important spare part to have
on board.
A) Raw-water, impeller
3
, B) Water, impeller
C) Raw-water, gasket
D) Cooling, rotor -ANSWER- A) Raw-water, impeller
Rationale: The raw-water pump circulates seawater for cooling, and its impeller is
a critical spare part because it can wear out or break.
13: List four factors that affect a sailing vessel's range under power.
A) Tank capacity, engine RPM, wind and waves, current
B) Tank capacity, sail size, wind direction, crew weight
C) Engine type, fuel type, wind speed, boat length
D) Battery charge, propeller size, hull shape, anchor weight -ANSWER- A) Tank
capacity, engine RPM, wind and waves, current
Rationale: These factors directly influence fuel consumption and the vessel's
ability to maintain speed, thus affecting range under power.
14: List at least four repair items and spares that should be carried in addition to
the boat's basic tool kit.
A) Cable ties, duct tape, WD-40, multimeter
B) Spare sails, anchor chain, extra fuel, life raft
C) Cooking supplies, linens, toiletries, fishing gear
D) Extra food, bottled water, flares, charts -ANSWER- A) Cable ties, duct tape,
WD-40, multimeter
Rationale: These practical items allow for quick, temporary repairs of various
systems on board when permanent repairs are not possible.
15: The __________ style mainsail is hoisted with a halyard, where an in-mast
furling mainsail is deployed using the __________.
A) Classic, outhaul
B) Traditional, halyard
C) Classic, inhaul
D) Standard, furling line -ANSWER- A) Classic, outhaul
Rationale: A classic mainsail is raised with a halyard, while an in-mast furling
mainsail is deployed by pulling the outhaul to draw the sail out of the mast.
16: When setting a roller furling jib, it is important to control the rate at which the
sail deploys by taking a turn of the __________ line around a winch to prevent
overrides from occurring in the furling __________.
A) Furling, drum
B) Halyard, drum
4
