BOATING PRACTICE EXAM 2025/2026 QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS GRADED A+
✔✔At a minimum, what should a non-powered canoe or kayak display in reduced
visibility? - ✔✔All around white light
✔✔When paddling a canoe at night, which piece of equipment should be carried to help
avoid a collision? - ✔✔Flashlight
✔✔USCG regulations require that a 14 foot powerboat carry which of the following
items between sunset and sunrise? - ✔✔Navigation lights
✔✔How often should the inflator on a Type V PFD be checked? - ✔✔Every time it is
worn
✔✔Which type of fire extinguisher should be onboard a vessel with a permanently
installed fuel tank? - ✔✔Type B
✔✔What should you do when fueling an outboard boat with a portable tank? - ✔✔Put
the tank on the dock or shore to fill it
✔✔Why must you operate the exhaust blower before starting a boat's inboard gasoline
engine? - ✔✔To remove fuel vapors
✔✔Which of the following is a sign that the weather may change for the worse? - ✔✔A
sudden drop in the temperature
✔✔What currents are a result of the movement of the sun and the moon? - ✔✔Tidal
currents
✔✔What should you do when operating a boat in large waves and high wind? -
✔✔Head into the waves at a slight angle and reduce speed
✔✔Gasoline and propane fumes are most likely to accumulate in what part of the boat?
- ✔✔Bilge
✔✔What test can be performed to detect a leak after fueling a gasoline-powered boat? -
✔✔Sniff test
✔✔Which is a common first indicator of an approaching thunderstorm? - ✔✔A buildup
of dark clouds
✔✔What equipment is required to be on a trailer? - ✔✔Lights
, ✔✔In many states, trailers with a GVWR of 1,500 pounds or greater are required by law
to have what equipment? - ✔✔Brakes
✔✔Which statement is true about red buoys under the Inland Rules? - ✔✔They should
be passed on your starboard side when going upstream
✔✔Which one of the following is true about can buoys? - ✔✔They are cylindrical in
shape
✔✔White lights can sometimes be found on what kind of buoys? - ✔✔Mid Channel
buoys
✔✔Which of the following must follow Navigation Rules for a powerboat? - ✔✔A
sailboat with its engine engaged
✔✔What should be avoided when anchoring? - ✔✔Throwing the anchor as far away
from the boat as possible and backing up
✔✔Which of the following will increase the effects of alcohol and drugs when boating? -
✔✔Vibration
✔✔A collision could occur when the distance decreases and bearing between two
vessels does what? - ✔✔Stays the same
✔✔When is a lookout on a vessel required? - ✔✔At all times
✔✔When returning from sea, a red navigational buoy should be passed in what
manner? - ✔✔Always kept on the starboard side
✔✔When operating a boat near other boats or when entering a congested area, why
should you watch your wake? - ✔✔It may cause personal injury or damage
✔✔Which of the following is recommended when docking your boat? - ✔✔Have your
fenders and dock lines ready before you approach the dock
✔✔When approaching a mooring buoy, which of the following should you do? -
✔✔Approach slowly, so as not to run over the mooring line or buoy
✔✔What does a regulatory buoy with a diamond symbol indicate? - ✔✔Danger
✔✔When returning to port from seaward and you see a red buoy, how should you
respond? - ✔✔Keep the buoy on your starboard side
ANSWERS GRADED A+
✔✔At a minimum, what should a non-powered canoe or kayak display in reduced
visibility? - ✔✔All around white light
✔✔When paddling a canoe at night, which piece of equipment should be carried to help
avoid a collision? - ✔✔Flashlight
✔✔USCG regulations require that a 14 foot powerboat carry which of the following
items between sunset and sunrise? - ✔✔Navigation lights
✔✔How often should the inflator on a Type V PFD be checked? - ✔✔Every time it is
worn
✔✔Which type of fire extinguisher should be onboard a vessel with a permanently
installed fuel tank? - ✔✔Type B
✔✔What should you do when fueling an outboard boat with a portable tank? - ✔✔Put
the tank on the dock or shore to fill it
✔✔Why must you operate the exhaust blower before starting a boat's inboard gasoline
engine? - ✔✔To remove fuel vapors
✔✔Which of the following is a sign that the weather may change for the worse? - ✔✔A
sudden drop in the temperature
✔✔What currents are a result of the movement of the sun and the moon? - ✔✔Tidal
currents
✔✔What should you do when operating a boat in large waves and high wind? -
✔✔Head into the waves at a slight angle and reduce speed
✔✔Gasoline and propane fumes are most likely to accumulate in what part of the boat?
- ✔✔Bilge
✔✔What test can be performed to detect a leak after fueling a gasoline-powered boat? -
✔✔Sniff test
✔✔Which is a common first indicator of an approaching thunderstorm? - ✔✔A buildup
of dark clouds
✔✔What equipment is required to be on a trailer? - ✔✔Lights
, ✔✔In many states, trailers with a GVWR of 1,500 pounds or greater are required by law
to have what equipment? - ✔✔Brakes
✔✔Which statement is true about red buoys under the Inland Rules? - ✔✔They should
be passed on your starboard side when going upstream
✔✔Which one of the following is true about can buoys? - ✔✔They are cylindrical in
shape
✔✔White lights can sometimes be found on what kind of buoys? - ✔✔Mid Channel
buoys
✔✔Which of the following must follow Navigation Rules for a powerboat? - ✔✔A
sailboat with its engine engaged
✔✔What should be avoided when anchoring? - ✔✔Throwing the anchor as far away
from the boat as possible and backing up
✔✔Which of the following will increase the effects of alcohol and drugs when boating? -
✔✔Vibration
✔✔A collision could occur when the distance decreases and bearing between two
vessels does what? - ✔✔Stays the same
✔✔When is a lookout on a vessel required? - ✔✔At all times
✔✔When returning from sea, a red navigational buoy should be passed in what
manner? - ✔✔Always kept on the starboard side
✔✔When operating a boat near other boats or when entering a congested area, why
should you watch your wake? - ✔✔It may cause personal injury or damage
✔✔Which of the following is recommended when docking your boat? - ✔✔Have your
fenders and dock lines ready before you approach the dock
✔✔When approaching a mooring buoy, which of the following should you do? -
✔✔Approach slowly, so as not to run over the mooring line or buoy
✔✔What does a regulatory buoy with a diamond symbol indicate? - ✔✔Danger
✔✔When returning to port from seaward and you see a red buoy, how should you
respond? - ✔✔Keep the buoy on your starboard side
