US SAILING – INTERMEDIATE SAILING
EXAM TEST BANK QUESTIONS WITH
VERIFIED ANSWERS
Optimal batten setting - Answer-top batten is parallel with the boom
When leech is so tight that the top batten curls to windward - Answer-sail stalls & slows
down
Pointing high - Answer-pointing above an obstruction
What does leech tension affect directly? - Answer-the ability of a boat to point closer to
the wind
2 functions of the mainsheet - Answer-1) Adjusting the mainsail in or out
2) When sailing upwind, controlling the tightness of the leech
3 functions of the outhaul - Answer-1) pulls the sail out along the boom
2) Controls the depth of draft in sail
3) Controls the location of draft in sail
What happens with more outhaul tension? - Answer-Flatter sail with draft closer to the
luff, which is better for pointing in very light or heavy winds
What happens with less outhaul tension? - Answer-Fuller sail with deep-draft power,
which is better through waves or med wind.
What provides speed, but sacrifices pointing ability? - Answer-Looser boom vang that
opens the leech slightly
What slows speed, but benefits pointing ability? - Answer-Tight boom vang
What is the secondary means of controlling leech tension? - Answer-Vang
What is the primary means of controlling leech tension? - Answer-Mainsheet
2 things that affect sail shape - Answer-altering leech tension & mast bend
What is a fixed piece of line that when shortened or lengthened affects the boom
position relative to the boat's centerline? - Answer-Bridle (as on a 420)
Center of Lateral Resistance - Answer-The opposing forces exerted by the water on the
keel & rudder & whose location is known as the Center of Lateral Resistance. (The focal
point of all the forces resisting slipping sideways through the water.)
, What can you do to the traveler or bridle to achieve an efficient & powerful close hauled
course? - Answer-Pull the traveler to windward of centerline, or lengthening the bridle,
thereby centering the boom
Backstay pulls the top of the mast aft & does what 3 things? - Answer-1) Controls the
shape & leech of the main (adding or reducing power)
2) Controls the shape of the jib through headstay/jib luff sag
What happens when the lead is forward & jib sheet trimmed in? - Answer-More leech
tension & a fuller foot-settings that power up the sail
What happens when the lead aft & jib sheet trimmed in? - Answer-More tension across
the foot & a more open
leech-settings that depower the sail
What will likely happen if the vang is too tight when the boat starts sailing downwind? -
Answer-The leech can hook to windward (hinging on the inboard end of the battens)
What will likely happen if the vang is too loose when the boat starts sailing downwind? -
Answer-Leech will twist open too much or even cause the boat to become unstable. The
sail may also chafe & tear on the rigging.
Principal of Balance allows a boat to be steered with these 3 - Answer-1) sails
2) crew weight
3) rudder
or combo of above
Non-lateral Markers - Answer-Orange bands on top & bottom of marker. Regulatory or
informational markers used to advise you of situations, dangers or directions. (Not used
for navigation)
Flooding - Answer-A tide that is incoming or raising.
Ebbing - Answer-A tide that is going out or dropping.
Stand-on Vessel - Answer-Boat that should maintain course & speed
Give-way Vessel - Answer-The boat that should alter course & or speed to pass at a
safe distance.
Thermal Winds - Answer-Dense cool air moves toward rising warm air (onshore or sea
breezes)
Wind Shadows - Answer-Areas of less wind, usually caused by land effects or large
anchored ships
EXAM TEST BANK QUESTIONS WITH
VERIFIED ANSWERS
Optimal batten setting - Answer-top batten is parallel with the boom
When leech is so tight that the top batten curls to windward - Answer-sail stalls & slows
down
Pointing high - Answer-pointing above an obstruction
What does leech tension affect directly? - Answer-the ability of a boat to point closer to
the wind
2 functions of the mainsheet - Answer-1) Adjusting the mainsail in or out
2) When sailing upwind, controlling the tightness of the leech
3 functions of the outhaul - Answer-1) pulls the sail out along the boom
2) Controls the depth of draft in sail
3) Controls the location of draft in sail
What happens with more outhaul tension? - Answer-Flatter sail with draft closer to the
luff, which is better for pointing in very light or heavy winds
What happens with less outhaul tension? - Answer-Fuller sail with deep-draft power,
which is better through waves or med wind.
What provides speed, but sacrifices pointing ability? - Answer-Looser boom vang that
opens the leech slightly
What slows speed, but benefits pointing ability? - Answer-Tight boom vang
What is the secondary means of controlling leech tension? - Answer-Vang
What is the primary means of controlling leech tension? - Answer-Mainsheet
2 things that affect sail shape - Answer-altering leech tension & mast bend
What is a fixed piece of line that when shortened or lengthened affects the boom
position relative to the boat's centerline? - Answer-Bridle (as on a 420)
Center of Lateral Resistance - Answer-The opposing forces exerted by the water on the
keel & rudder & whose location is known as the Center of Lateral Resistance. (The focal
point of all the forces resisting slipping sideways through the water.)
, What can you do to the traveler or bridle to achieve an efficient & powerful close hauled
course? - Answer-Pull the traveler to windward of centerline, or lengthening the bridle,
thereby centering the boom
Backstay pulls the top of the mast aft & does what 3 things? - Answer-1) Controls the
shape & leech of the main (adding or reducing power)
2) Controls the shape of the jib through headstay/jib luff sag
What happens when the lead is forward & jib sheet trimmed in? - Answer-More leech
tension & a fuller foot-settings that power up the sail
What happens when the lead aft & jib sheet trimmed in? - Answer-More tension across
the foot & a more open
leech-settings that depower the sail
What will likely happen if the vang is too tight when the boat starts sailing downwind? -
Answer-The leech can hook to windward (hinging on the inboard end of the battens)
What will likely happen if the vang is too loose when the boat starts sailing downwind? -
Answer-Leech will twist open too much or even cause the boat to become unstable. The
sail may also chafe & tear on the rigging.
Principal of Balance allows a boat to be steered with these 3 - Answer-1) sails
2) crew weight
3) rudder
or combo of above
Non-lateral Markers - Answer-Orange bands on top & bottom of marker. Regulatory or
informational markers used to advise you of situations, dangers or directions. (Not used
for navigation)
Flooding - Answer-A tide that is incoming or raising.
Ebbing - Answer-A tide that is going out or dropping.
Stand-on Vessel - Answer-Boat that should maintain course & speed
Give-way Vessel - Answer-The boat that should alter course & or speed to pass at a
safe distance.
Thermal Winds - Answer-Dense cool air moves toward rising warm air (onshore or sea
breezes)
Wind Shadows - Answer-Areas of less wind, usually caused by land effects or large
anchored ships
