US SAILING - INTERMEDIATE SAILING
COMBINED SET EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
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
Controls the location of draft in sail
Cumulus Clouds - Answer-Large, white, fluffy clouds - indicator of good weather
Cirrus Clouds - Answer-Wispy, and thin clouds; indicator of good weather, but may
indicate change in weather.
Veering wind - Answer-consistent wind shifting in a clockwise direction (clocking wind)
backing wind - Answer-Counterclockwise shifting wind
Clues to impending weather. - Answer-1)changes in wind direction
Cumulonimbus Clouds - Answer-Towering clouds - indicator of severe conditions,
including heavy rain & lightening.
Stratus Clouds - Answer-Low layer of clouds; indicator of steady rain
Land Effects - Answer-Wind conditions that are affected by nearby land features such
as islands, tall buildings.
True Wind - Answer-An accurate reading of the winds direction & velocity from a
stationary point
Apparent Wind - Answer-The altered wind direction and velocity, which is different from
the true wind direction, because of the motion of the weather station.
hypothermia - Answer-sluggishness, confusion, yawning & shivering
, 2 things that influence sailing - Answer-tides & currents
Slack - Answer-Very little water movement happens between going out(ebbing) &
coming in(flooding) tides.
3 things you need to determine depth - Answer-1) watch 2) tide table 3) chart
2 factors of a current - Answer-direction & speed
Another way to describe current - Answer-horizontal flow
How can you determine current - Answer-Looking at floating objects, a fixed mooring,
channel marker or docks
The Flatter the sail shape and the tighter the leach.... - Answer-The closer the boat can
point toward the wind.
What 5 things control the Twist - Answer-1) boom vang
2) traveler
3) mainsheet
4) Cunningham/downhaul
5) backstay
Increasing tension on the backstay - Answer-increases twist
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
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
Push mode - Answer-wind coming from behind, the sail is pushed forward (p.22)
Pull mode - Answer-wind creates higher pressure on the inside of the sail & lowers the
pressure on the outside thus creating lift. The lift pulls the boat forward & sideways. The
keel keeps the boat from being pulled sideways (p. 23 nice pic)
COMBINED SET EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
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
Controls the location of draft in sail
Cumulus Clouds - Answer-Large, white, fluffy clouds - indicator of good weather
Cirrus Clouds - Answer-Wispy, and thin clouds; indicator of good weather, but may
indicate change in weather.
Veering wind - Answer-consistent wind shifting in a clockwise direction (clocking wind)
backing wind - Answer-Counterclockwise shifting wind
Clues to impending weather. - Answer-1)changes in wind direction
Cumulonimbus Clouds - Answer-Towering clouds - indicator of severe conditions,
including heavy rain & lightening.
Stratus Clouds - Answer-Low layer of clouds; indicator of steady rain
Land Effects - Answer-Wind conditions that are affected by nearby land features such
as islands, tall buildings.
True Wind - Answer-An accurate reading of the winds direction & velocity from a
stationary point
Apparent Wind - Answer-The altered wind direction and velocity, which is different from
the true wind direction, because of the motion of the weather station.
hypothermia - Answer-sluggishness, confusion, yawning & shivering
, 2 things that influence sailing - Answer-tides & currents
Slack - Answer-Very little water movement happens between going out(ebbing) &
coming in(flooding) tides.
3 things you need to determine depth - Answer-1) watch 2) tide table 3) chart
2 factors of a current - Answer-direction & speed
Another way to describe current - Answer-horizontal flow
How can you determine current - Answer-Looking at floating objects, a fixed mooring,
channel marker or docks
The Flatter the sail shape and the tighter the leach.... - Answer-The closer the boat can
point toward the wind.
What 5 things control the Twist - Answer-1) boom vang
2) traveler
3) mainsheet
4) Cunningham/downhaul
5) backstay
Increasing tension on the backstay - Answer-increases twist
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
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
Push mode - Answer-wind coming from behind, the sail is pushed forward (p.22)
Pull mode - Answer-wind creates higher pressure on the inside of the sail & lowers the
pressure on the outside thus creating lift. The lift pulls the boat forward & sideways. The
keel keeps the boat from being pulled sideways (p. 23 nice pic)
