ASA 106 – Advanced Coastal
Cruising Exam Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales 2025
Q&A | Instant Download PDF
1.
While planning a coastal passage, the skipper notices a forecast for increasing
winds against a strong tidal current near an inlet. What is the MOST likely sea
condition?
A. Calm flat seas
B. Reduced visibility only
C. Steep and dangerous breaking waves
D. No effect on sea state
Answer: C. Steep and dangerous breaking waves
Rationale: Wind opposing current creates short, steep seas that may break
dangerously.
2.
A vessel is approaching a harbor entrance at night and observes a flashing red
buoy to starboard while entering from seaward. What should the skipper do?
A. Leave buoy to port
B. Leave buoy to starboard
,C. Pass closely on either side
D. Ignore buoy color at night
Answer: B. Leave buoy to starboard
Rationale: Red returning aids are kept to starboard when entering harbor from
sea.
3.
The primary purpose of a preventer while sailing downwind is to:
A. Increase boat speed
B. Prevent accidental jibe
C. Reduce heel angle
D. Improve engine cooling
Answer: B. Prevent accidental jibe
Rationale: Preventers reduce boom movement and accidental jibe risk.
4.
A skipper detects a rapid drop in barometric pressure offshore. This MOST likely
indicates:
A. Improving weather
B. Approaching low-pressure system or storm
C. Calm seas ahead
D. Stable atmospheric conditions
Answer: B. Approaching low-pressure system or storm
Rationale: Falling pressure commonly signals deteriorating weather.
5.
When navigating in restricted visibility, the MOST important action is to:
A. Increase speed
B. Rely only on GPS
C. Maintain proper lookout and safe speed
D. Turn off navigation lights
,Answer: C. Maintain proper lookout and safe speed
Rationale: COLREGS require safe speed and lookout in limited visibility.
6.
A vessel under sail alone on starboard tack encounters another sailboat on port
tack. Which vessel has right-of-way?
A. Port tack vessel
B. Starboard tack vessel
C. Larger vessel
D. Faster vessel
Answer: B. Starboard tack vessel
Rationale: Under sailing rules, starboard tack is stand-on vessel.
7.
The BEST anchoring location during an approaching squall is:
A. Open exposed shoreline
B. Area with poor holding ground
C. Protected anchorage with adequate swing room
D. Shipping channel entrance
Answer: C. Protected anchorage with adequate swing room
Rationale: Shelter and holding security are essential during storms.
8.
A vessel’s depth sounder suddenly shows rapidly decreasing depth near shore.
The skipper should FIRST:
A. Increase speed
B. Alter course to deeper water
C. Turn off electronics
D. Drop anchor immediately without checking surroundings
Answer: B. Alter course to deeper water
Rationale: Immediate grounding avoidance is critical.
9.
, A properly adjusted mainsail traveler primarily controls:
A. Sail draft depth only
B. Boom angle and sail power balance
C. Engine RPM
D. Anchor scope
Answer: B. Boom angle and sail power balance
Rationale: Traveler position controls boom placement relative to centerline.
10.
A vessel entering fog should sound what signal under power every two minutes?
A. One prolonged blast
B. Two short blasts
C. Three prolonged blasts
D. Rapid ringing bell only
Answer: A. One prolonged blast
Rationale: Power-driven vessels underway sound one prolonged blast every two
minutes.
11.
A broad reach is sailing with wind coming from:
A. Directly ahead
B. Directly astern
C. Aft quarter
D. Beam only
Answer: C. Aft quarter
Rationale: Broad reach occurs with wind behind beam.
12.
The purpose of reefing sails is to:
A. Increase sail area
B. Reduce sail area in stronger winds
Cruising Exam Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales 2025
Q&A | Instant Download PDF
1.
While planning a coastal passage, the skipper notices a forecast for increasing
winds against a strong tidal current near an inlet. What is the MOST likely sea
condition?
A. Calm flat seas
B. Reduced visibility only
C. Steep and dangerous breaking waves
D. No effect on sea state
Answer: C. Steep and dangerous breaking waves
Rationale: Wind opposing current creates short, steep seas that may break
dangerously.
2.
A vessel is approaching a harbor entrance at night and observes a flashing red
buoy to starboard while entering from seaward. What should the skipper do?
A. Leave buoy to port
B. Leave buoy to starboard
,C. Pass closely on either side
D. Ignore buoy color at night
Answer: B. Leave buoy to starboard
Rationale: Red returning aids are kept to starboard when entering harbor from
sea.
3.
The primary purpose of a preventer while sailing downwind is to:
A. Increase boat speed
B. Prevent accidental jibe
C. Reduce heel angle
D. Improve engine cooling
Answer: B. Prevent accidental jibe
Rationale: Preventers reduce boom movement and accidental jibe risk.
4.
A skipper detects a rapid drop in barometric pressure offshore. This MOST likely
indicates:
A. Improving weather
B. Approaching low-pressure system or storm
C. Calm seas ahead
D. Stable atmospheric conditions
Answer: B. Approaching low-pressure system or storm
Rationale: Falling pressure commonly signals deteriorating weather.
5.
When navigating in restricted visibility, the MOST important action is to:
A. Increase speed
B. Rely only on GPS
C. Maintain proper lookout and safe speed
D. Turn off navigation lights
,Answer: C. Maintain proper lookout and safe speed
Rationale: COLREGS require safe speed and lookout in limited visibility.
6.
A vessel under sail alone on starboard tack encounters another sailboat on port
tack. Which vessel has right-of-way?
A. Port tack vessel
B. Starboard tack vessel
C. Larger vessel
D. Faster vessel
Answer: B. Starboard tack vessel
Rationale: Under sailing rules, starboard tack is stand-on vessel.
7.
The BEST anchoring location during an approaching squall is:
A. Open exposed shoreline
B. Area with poor holding ground
C. Protected anchorage with adequate swing room
D. Shipping channel entrance
Answer: C. Protected anchorage with adequate swing room
Rationale: Shelter and holding security are essential during storms.
8.
A vessel’s depth sounder suddenly shows rapidly decreasing depth near shore.
The skipper should FIRST:
A. Increase speed
B. Alter course to deeper water
C. Turn off electronics
D. Drop anchor immediately without checking surroundings
Answer: B. Alter course to deeper water
Rationale: Immediate grounding avoidance is critical.
9.
, A properly adjusted mainsail traveler primarily controls:
A. Sail draft depth only
B. Boom angle and sail power balance
C. Engine RPM
D. Anchor scope
Answer: B. Boom angle and sail power balance
Rationale: Traveler position controls boom placement relative to centerline.
10.
A vessel entering fog should sound what signal under power every two minutes?
A. One prolonged blast
B. Two short blasts
C. Three prolonged blasts
D. Rapid ringing bell only
Answer: A. One prolonged blast
Rationale: Power-driven vessels underway sound one prolonged blast every two
minutes.
11.
A broad reach is sailing with wind coming from:
A. Directly ahead
B. Directly astern
C. Aft quarter
D. Beam only
Answer: C. Aft quarter
Rationale: Broad reach occurs with wind behind beam.
12.
The purpose of reefing sails is to:
A. Increase sail area
B. Reduce sail area in stronger winds
