TENNESSEE BOATING SAFETY EDUCATION
CERTIFICATE FULL TEST | COMPREHENSIVE
EXAM PREP, PRACTICE QUESTIONS,
CORRECT ANSWERS AND STUDY GUIDE
| GRADED A+ | GUARANTEED SUCCESS
Updated 2026 Questions and Answers
100% Verified Exam Prep
,bow front of a boat
stern Rear of a vessel
starboard right side of a vessel
port Left side of a vessel
hull the frame or body of ship
gunwale the upper edge of the side of a boat or ship
cleat Metal fitting on which a rope can be fastened
propeller Rotates and powers a boat forward or backward
beam Maximum width of a vessel
freeboard Distance from water to lowest point of the boat where water could come on board
draft Depth of water needed to float a vessel
keel Main centerline (backbone) of a vessel or the extension of hull that increases stability in
the water
Displacement Hull Boats with these move through the water by pushing the water aside and are designed to
cut through the water with very little propulsion.
If you lower a boat into the water, some of the water moves out of the way to adjust for
the boat. If you could weigh that displaced water, you would find it equals the weight of
the boat. That weight is the boat's displacement.
Boats with these are limited to slower speeds.
A round-bottomed hull shape acts like this. Most large cruisers and most sailboats have
these, allowing them to travel more smoothly through the water.
,Planing Hulls Boats are designed to rise up and glide on top of the water when enough power is
supplied. These boats may operate like displacement hulls when at rest or at slow speeds
but climb toward the surface of the water as they move faster.
Boats can skim along at high speed, riding almost on top of the water rather than pushing
it aside.
Flat-bottomed and vee-bottomed hull shapes. Most small power-driven vessels,
including personal watercraft (PWC), and some small sailboats have planing hulls,
allowing them to travel more rapidly across the water.
personal watercraft A small vessel that uses an inboard jet drive as its primary source of propulsion, and is
designed to be operated by a person or persons sitting, standing, or kneeling on the
vessel rather than inside the vessel
Planing Hull Speeds Displacement Mode: A planing hull, when operated at very slow speeds, will cut through
the water like a displacement hull.
Plowing Mode: As speed increases, a planing hull will have a raised bow, reducing the
operator's vision and throwing a very large wake. Avoid maintaining a speed that puts
your boat in plowing mode.
Planing Mode: Your boat is in planing mode when enough power is applied so that the
hull glides on top of the water. Different boats reach planing mode at different speeds
Flat Bottom Hull Advantages: This planing hull has a shallow draft, which is good for fishing in small lakes
and rivers.
Disadvantages: Rides roughly in choppy waters.
Deep Vee Hull Advantages: This planing hull gives a smoother ride than a flat bottom hull in rough water.
Disadvantages: Takes more power to move at the same speed as flat bottom hulls. May
roll or bank in sharp turns.
, Round Bottom Hull Advantages: This typical displacement hull moves easily through the water even at slow
speeds.
Disadvantages: Has a tendency to roll unless it has a deep keel or stabilizers.
Multi Hull Advantage: Another example of a displacement hull, the multi-hull has greater stability
because of its wide beam.
Disadvantage: Needs a large area when turning.
Vessel Length dictates the equipment the vessel must have to comply with federal and state laws.
Length overall is measured from the tip of the bow in a straight line to the stern of the
vessel. Bowsprits; rudders; outboard motors and motor brackets; handles; and other
fittings, attachments, and extensions are not included in the measurement.
Length Classes Class A Less than 16 feet
Class 1 16 feet to less than 26 feet
Class 2 26 feet to less than 40 feet
Class 3 40 feet to less than 65 feet
CERTIFICATE FULL TEST | COMPREHENSIVE
EXAM PREP, PRACTICE QUESTIONS,
CORRECT ANSWERS AND STUDY GUIDE
| GRADED A+ | GUARANTEED SUCCESS
Updated 2026 Questions and Answers
100% Verified Exam Prep
,bow front of a boat
stern Rear of a vessel
starboard right side of a vessel
port Left side of a vessel
hull the frame or body of ship
gunwale the upper edge of the side of a boat or ship
cleat Metal fitting on which a rope can be fastened
propeller Rotates and powers a boat forward or backward
beam Maximum width of a vessel
freeboard Distance from water to lowest point of the boat where water could come on board
draft Depth of water needed to float a vessel
keel Main centerline (backbone) of a vessel or the extension of hull that increases stability in
the water
Displacement Hull Boats with these move through the water by pushing the water aside and are designed to
cut through the water with very little propulsion.
If you lower a boat into the water, some of the water moves out of the way to adjust for
the boat. If you could weigh that displaced water, you would find it equals the weight of
the boat. That weight is the boat's displacement.
Boats with these are limited to slower speeds.
A round-bottomed hull shape acts like this. Most large cruisers and most sailboats have
these, allowing them to travel more smoothly through the water.
,Planing Hulls Boats are designed to rise up and glide on top of the water when enough power is
supplied. These boats may operate like displacement hulls when at rest or at slow speeds
but climb toward the surface of the water as they move faster.
Boats can skim along at high speed, riding almost on top of the water rather than pushing
it aside.
Flat-bottomed and vee-bottomed hull shapes. Most small power-driven vessels,
including personal watercraft (PWC), and some small sailboats have planing hulls,
allowing them to travel more rapidly across the water.
personal watercraft A small vessel that uses an inboard jet drive as its primary source of propulsion, and is
designed to be operated by a person or persons sitting, standing, or kneeling on the
vessel rather than inside the vessel
Planing Hull Speeds Displacement Mode: A planing hull, when operated at very slow speeds, will cut through
the water like a displacement hull.
Plowing Mode: As speed increases, a planing hull will have a raised bow, reducing the
operator's vision and throwing a very large wake. Avoid maintaining a speed that puts
your boat in plowing mode.
Planing Mode: Your boat is in planing mode when enough power is applied so that the
hull glides on top of the water. Different boats reach planing mode at different speeds
Flat Bottom Hull Advantages: This planing hull has a shallow draft, which is good for fishing in small lakes
and rivers.
Disadvantages: Rides roughly in choppy waters.
Deep Vee Hull Advantages: This planing hull gives a smoother ride than a flat bottom hull in rough water.
Disadvantages: Takes more power to move at the same speed as flat bottom hulls. May
roll or bank in sharp turns.
, Round Bottom Hull Advantages: This typical displacement hull moves easily through the water even at slow
speeds.
Disadvantages: Has a tendency to roll unless it has a deep keel or stabilizers.
Multi Hull Advantage: Another example of a displacement hull, the multi-hull has greater stability
because of its wide beam.
Disadvantage: Needs a large area when turning.
Vessel Length dictates the equipment the vessel must have to comply with federal and state laws.
Length overall is measured from the tip of the bow in a straight line to the stern of the
vessel. Bowsprits; rudders; outboard motors and motor brackets; handles; and other
fittings, attachments, and extensions are not included in the measurement.
Length Classes Class A Less than 16 feet
Class 1 16 feet to less than 26 feet
Class 2 26 feet to less than 40 feet
Class 3 40 feet to less than 65 feet
