ASA 114 EXAM NEWEST 2026 ACTUAL EXAM| ASA
114 CRUISING CATAMARAN REVIEW WITH COMPLETE
150 REAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT VERIFIED
ANSWERS/ ALREADY GRADED A+ (MOST RECENT!!)
1. A tripod rig refers to the arrangement of a forestay and
__________ that support the mast without the need for a
__________.
A) Shrouds, backstay
B) Spreaders, backstay
C) Diamond stays, forestay
D) Running backstays, boom
Correct Answer: A) Shrouds, backstay
Rationale: A tripod rig uses a forestay and two shrouds to form
a stable triangular support structure, eliminating the need for a
backstay. This is common on catamarans to allow a fully-
battened mainsail without interference .
2. A forward projection of the bridgedeck designed to soften the
impact of the seas is called a __________.
A) Seagull striker
1
, B) Nacelle
C) Dolphin striker
D) Trampoline
Correct Answer: B) Nacelle
Rationale: The nacelle is a forward extension of the bridgedeck
that helps part waves and reduce pounding (bridgedeck
slamming) when sailing into head seas .
3. On catamarans without fixed keels, a __________ slides
vertically through a trunk in each hull to provide lateral
resistance and improved performance when sailing to
__________.
A) Centerboard, leeward
B) Daggerboard, windward
C) Rudder, starboard
D) Keel, port
Correct Answer: B) Daggerboard, windward
Rationale: Daggerboards are lowered to reduce leeway and
improve upwind performance. They are raised when sailing
downwind to reduce drag .
2
,4. A catamaran's __________ is derived from the buoyancy in
its two widely separated hulls. Even so, care must be taken to
avoid overloading and to distribute weight __________.
A) Speed, unevenly
B) Stability, evenly
C) Draft, aft
D) Windage, forward
Correct Answer: B) Stability, evenly
Rationale: Catamarans achieve stability through form stability
(wide beam) rather than ballast. Uneven weight distribution can
cause one hull to sit lower, increasing drag and affecting
steering .
5. Located on the forward crossbeam, the __________ provides
reinforcement to counter the effect of forestay tension.
A) Spreader
B) Shroud
C) Seagull striker
D) Bobstay
3
, Correct Answer: C) Seagull striker
Rationale: The seagull striker (or dolphin striker) is a compression
strut under the forward crossbeam that counteracts the upward
pull of the forestay, preventing the crossbeam from bending .
6. The downward force of the catamaran's mast is supported by
the center __________ integrated into the bridge deck structure.
The mainsheet traveler is often mounted over the __________
crossbeam.
A) Keel, forward
B) Crossbeam, aft
C) Hull, port
D) Deckhouse, starboard
Correct Answer: B) Crossbeam, aft
Rationale: The mast compression load is transferred to the
bridge deck structure through a central crossbeam. The aft
crossbeam typically supports the mainsheet traveler .
7. A typical cruising catamaran sail plan consists of a large
__________ - __________ mainsail and a roller furling jib.
A) Loose-footed
4
114 CRUISING CATAMARAN REVIEW WITH COMPLETE
150 REAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT VERIFIED
ANSWERS/ ALREADY GRADED A+ (MOST RECENT!!)
1. A tripod rig refers to the arrangement of a forestay and
__________ that support the mast without the need for a
__________.
A) Shrouds, backstay
B) Spreaders, backstay
C) Diamond stays, forestay
D) Running backstays, boom
Correct Answer: A) Shrouds, backstay
Rationale: A tripod rig uses a forestay and two shrouds to form
a stable triangular support structure, eliminating the need for a
backstay. This is common on catamarans to allow a fully-
battened mainsail without interference .
2. A forward projection of the bridgedeck designed to soften the
impact of the seas is called a __________.
A) Seagull striker
1
, B) Nacelle
C) Dolphin striker
D) Trampoline
Correct Answer: B) Nacelle
Rationale: The nacelle is a forward extension of the bridgedeck
that helps part waves and reduce pounding (bridgedeck
slamming) when sailing into head seas .
3. On catamarans without fixed keels, a __________ slides
vertically through a trunk in each hull to provide lateral
resistance and improved performance when sailing to
__________.
A) Centerboard, leeward
B) Daggerboard, windward
C) Rudder, starboard
D) Keel, port
Correct Answer: B) Daggerboard, windward
Rationale: Daggerboards are lowered to reduce leeway and
improve upwind performance. They are raised when sailing
downwind to reduce drag .
2
,4. A catamaran's __________ is derived from the buoyancy in
its two widely separated hulls. Even so, care must be taken to
avoid overloading and to distribute weight __________.
A) Speed, unevenly
B) Stability, evenly
C) Draft, aft
D) Windage, forward
Correct Answer: B) Stability, evenly
Rationale: Catamarans achieve stability through form stability
(wide beam) rather than ballast. Uneven weight distribution can
cause one hull to sit lower, increasing drag and affecting
steering .
5. Located on the forward crossbeam, the __________ provides
reinforcement to counter the effect of forestay tension.
A) Spreader
B) Shroud
C) Seagull striker
D) Bobstay
3
, Correct Answer: C) Seagull striker
Rationale: The seagull striker (or dolphin striker) is a compression
strut under the forward crossbeam that counteracts the upward
pull of the forestay, preventing the crossbeam from bending .
6. The downward force of the catamaran's mast is supported by
the center __________ integrated into the bridge deck structure.
The mainsheet traveler is often mounted over the __________
crossbeam.
A) Keel, forward
B) Crossbeam, aft
C) Hull, port
D) Deckhouse, starboard
Correct Answer: B) Crossbeam, aft
Rationale: The mast compression load is transferred to the
bridge deck structure through a central crossbeam. The aft
crossbeam typically supports the mainsheet traveler .
7. A typical cruising catamaran sail plan consists of a large
__________ - __________ mainsail and a roller furling jib.
A) Loose-footed
4
