ASA 106 – Advanced Coastal Cruising Exam 110
Practice Questions with Answers & Rationales
(2026 Update) Instant PDF Download
About the ASA 106 Exam
ASA 106 Advanced Coastal Cruising is the ultimate course for sailors looking to take on
more challenging conditions by learning the advanced techniques and seamanship required
to navigate coastal waters confidently, day or night, in all weather . This certification builds
upon your previous sailing experience, offering the skills needed to skipper a vessel on
extended coastal passages in challenging conditions . The course emphasizes decision-
making, leadership, and boat management while cruising in variable weather and sea
states .
Study Materials: Advanced Cruising & Seamanship (ASA Textbook 106)
Section 1: Sail Theory & Balance (Questions 1-25)
1. The angle between the sail's chord line and the apparent wind is known as the:
A) Camber
B) Angle of Attack
C) Draft
D) Twist
Answer: B
Rationale: The angle of attack is defined as the angle between the sail's chord line and the
apparent wind .
2. What are the three sources of power in a sail?
A) Angle of attack, sail shape, and sail twist
B) Wind speed, boat speed, and heel angle
C) Mast rake, halyard tension, and outhaul
D) True wind, apparent wind, and ground wind
,Answer: A
Rationale: The three sources of power in a sail are angle of attack, sail shape (draft), and
sail twist .
3. Sail shape is dictated by the draft, which is:
A) The angle between the sail and the wind
B) The amount of twist in the sail
C) The deepest curved part of the sail
D) The distance from the mast to the clew
Answer: C
Rationale: Sail shape is dictated by the draft or the deepest curved part of the sail .
4. Would you want more or less sail twist in very windy conditions?
A) More
B) Less
C) Same amount
D) Twist does not matter in windy conditions
Answer: B
Rationale: In very windy conditions, you want less sail twist to depower the sail and
maintain control .
5. What is the leech line?
A) A line that controls the outhaul
B) A line that controls the boom vang
C) A small line that is sewn into the leech of the sail
D) A line that controls the halyard
Answer: C
Rationale: The leech line is a small line that is sewn into the leech of the sail to adjust leech
flutter .
6. Would you want more or less sail draft in light conditions?
A) Less
B) More
C) No draft
D) Maximum draft
,Answer: B
Rationale: In light conditions, you want more sail draft to generate power .
7. In strong winds, to help depower the boat you would:
A) Tighten the boom vang
B) Ease the boom vang
C) Tighten the mainsheet
D) Move the traveler to windward
Answer: B
Rationale: Easing the boom vang allows the main to twist, reducing power .
8. What does the cunningham do?
A) Controls the outhaul
B) Stretches the mainsail luff
C) Controls the boom vang
D) Controls the traveler
Answer: B
Rationale: The cunningham stretches the mainsail luff, flattening the sail and moving the
draft forward .
9. The center of effort (CE) is defined as:
A) The center of the boat's hull
B) The center of forces generated by the sails
C) The center of the keel
D) The center of the rudder
Answer: B
Rationale: The center of effort (CE) is the center of forces generated by the sails .
10. The center of lateral resistance (CLR) is defined as:
A) The center of forces generated by the sails
B) The pivot point around which the boat turns
C) The center of the mast
D) The center of the rudder
, Answer: B
Rationale: The center of lateral resistance (CLR) is the pivot point around which the boat
turns (the geometric center of the cross-section of the underwater portion of the hull) .
11. A boat will have weather helm when:
A) The CE is forward of the CLR
B) The CE is aft of the CLR
C) The CE is over the CLR
D) The CE and CLR are aligned
Answer: B
Rationale: Weather helm occurs when the CE is aft of the CLR .
12. A boat will have lee helm when:
A) The CE is forward of the CLR
B) The CE is aft of the CLR
C) The CE is over the CLR
D) The CE and CLR are aligned
Answer: A
Rationale: Lee helm occurs when the CE is forward of the CLR .
13. Reefing the mainsail will _____ weather helm.
A) Increase
B) Decrease
C) Not affect
D) Double
Answer: B
Rationale: Reefing the mainsail will decrease weather helm by reducing power aft .
14. Taking down the jib will _____ weather helm.
A) Increase
B) Decrease
C) Not affect
D) Double
Answer: A
Rationale: Taking down the jib will increase weather helm by moving the CE aft .
Practice Questions with Answers & Rationales
(2026 Update) Instant PDF Download
About the ASA 106 Exam
ASA 106 Advanced Coastal Cruising is the ultimate course for sailors looking to take on
more challenging conditions by learning the advanced techniques and seamanship required
to navigate coastal waters confidently, day or night, in all weather . This certification builds
upon your previous sailing experience, offering the skills needed to skipper a vessel on
extended coastal passages in challenging conditions . The course emphasizes decision-
making, leadership, and boat management while cruising in variable weather and sea
states .
Study Materials: Advanced Cruising & Seamanship (ASA Textbook 106)
Section 1: Sail Theory & Balance (Questions 1-25)
1. The angle between the sail's chord line and the apparent wind is known as the:
A) Camber
B) Angle of Attack
C) Draft
D) Twist
Answer: B
Rationale: The angle of attack is defined as the angle between the sail's chord line and the
apparent wind .
2. What are the three sources of power in a sail?
A) Angle of attack, sail shape, and sail twist
B) Wind speed, boat speed, and heel angle
C) Mast rake, halyard tension, and outhaul
D) True wind, apparent wind, and ground wind
,Answer: A
Rationale: The three sources of power in a sail are angle of attack, sail shape (draft), and
sail twist .
3. Sail shape is dictated by the draft, which is:
A) The angle between the sail and the wind
B) The amount of twist in the sail
C) The deepest curved part of the sail
D) The distance from the mast to the clew
Answer: C
Rationale: Sail shape is dictated by the draft or the deepest curved part of the sail .
4. Would you want more or less sail twist in very windy conditions?
A) More
B) Less
C) Same amount
D) Twist does not matter in windy conditions
Answer: B
Rationale: In very windy conditions, you want less sail twist to depower the sail and
maintain control .
5. What is the leech line?
A) A line that controls the outhaul
B) A line that controls the boom vang
C) A small line that is sewn into the leech of the sail
D) A line that controls the halyard
Answer: C
Rationale: The leech line is a small line that is sewn into the leech of the sail to adjust leech
flutter .
6. Would you want more or less sail draft in light conditions?
A) Less
B) More
C) No draft
D) Maximum draft
,Answer: B
Rationale: In light conditions, you want more sail draft to generate power .
7. In strong winds, to help depower the boat you would:
A) Tighten the boom vang
B) Ease the boom vang
C) Tighten the mainsheet
D) Move the traveler to windward
Answer: B
Rationale: Easing the boom vang allows the main to twist, reducing power .
8. What does the cunningham do?
A) Controls the outhaul
B) Stretches the mainsail luff
C) Controls the boom vang
D) Controls the traveler
Answer: B
Rationale: The cunningham stretches the mainsail luff, flattening the sail and moving the
draft forward .
9. The center of effort (CE) is defined as:
A) The center of the boat's hull
B) The center of forces generated by the sails
C) The center of the keel
D) The center of the rudder
Answer: B
Rationale: The center of effort (CE) is the center of forces generated by the sails .
10. The center of lateral resistance (CLR) is defined as:
A) The center of forces generated by the sails
B) The pivot point around which the boat turns
C) The center of the mast
D) The center of the rudder
, Answer: B
Rationale: The center of lateral resistance (CLR) is the pivot point around which the boat
turns (the geometric center of the cross-section of the underwater portion of the hull) .
11. A boat will have weather helm when:
A) The CE is forward of the CLR
B) The CE is aft of the CLR
C) The CE is over the CLR
D) The CE and CLR are aligned
Answer: B
Rationale: Weather helm occurs when the CE is aft of the CLR .
12. A boat will have lee helm when:
A) The CE is forward of the CLR
B) The CE is aft of the CLR
C) The CE is over the CLR
D) The CE and CLR are aligned
Answer: A
Rationale: Lee helm occurs when the CE is forward of the CLR .
13. Reefing the mainsail will _____ weather helm.
A) Increase
B) Decrease
C) Not affect
D) Double
Answer: B
Rationale: Reefing the mainsail will decrease weather helm by reducing power aft .
14. Taking down the jib will _____ weather helm.
A) Increase
B) Decrease
C) Not affect
D) Double
Answer: A
Rationale: Taking down the jib will increase weather helm by moving the CE aft .
