ASA 101 – Basic Keelboat Sailing
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1. What is the wind direction when a sailboat is said to be "in irons"?
A. On a beam reach
B. On a run
C. Directly into the wind
D. Close-hauled
In irons means the bow is pointing directly into the wind, and the sails luff
with no power, preventing forward motion.
2. Which tack is a boat on when the wind is blowing over the starboard side?
A. Port tack
B. Starboard tack
C. Beam reach
D. Close reach
A boat is on a starboard tack when the wind hits the starboard (right) side
first.
,3. What does a windward boat refer to?
A. The faster boat
B. The boat closest to the finish
C. The boat closest to the wind
D. The leeward boat
The windward boat is the one closer to the source of the wind.
4. What is the purpose of a boom vang?
A. Controls the downward tension on the boom
B. Attaches the boom to the mast
C. Adjusts the tension of the forestay
D. Controls the tiller
The boom vang prevents the boom from lifting and controls sail shape by
adjusting downward tension.
5. What is the direction opposite to the bow called?
A. Windward
B. Port
C. Starboard
D. Stern
The stern is the rear part of the boat, opposite the bow.
6. Which point of sail is fastest downwind?
A. Beam reach
B. Broad reach
C. Close-hauled
D. Head-to-wind
, A broad reach is often the fastest point of sail on many boats, just shy of
sailing directly downwind.
7. What is "tacking"?
A. Turning the boat away from the wind
B. Turning the bow through the wind
C. Turning the stern through the wind
D. Heading directly downwind
Tacking is turning the bow through the wind to change direction when
sailing upwind.
8. When is a sailboat said to be on a "run"?
A. When the wind is directly behind
B. When sailing upwind
C. When heeling hard
D. When the sails are trimmed in
A run is when the boat is sailing directly away from the wind.
9. What is the "clew" of a sail?
A. Top corner
B. Lower aft corner
C. Forward lower corner
D. Middle of the sail
The clew is the lower aft corner of a sail, where the sheet attaches.
10.Which sail control tightens the foot of the mainsail?
A. Outhaul
B. Halyard
, C. Topping lift
D. Jib sheet
The outhaul adjusts the tension along the boom to flatten or loosen the
mainsail’s foot.
11.What does “leeward” mean?
A. The side facing the wind
B. The side away from the wind
C. The stern direction
D. The port side
Leeward refers to the direction away from the wind.
12.What should you do to reduce heeling when overpowered?
A. Bear away
B. Raise the jib
C. Luff the sails
D. Reef the sails
Reefing reduces sail area, which reduces heeling in strong wind.
13.What type of knot is used to tie a line to a cleat?
A. Bowline
B. Cleat hitch
C. Clove hitch
D. Square knot
A cleat hitch secures a line to a cleat quickly and effectively.
14.What does the telltale on the sail help with?
A. Navigation
Certification Exam Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2025/2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. What is the wind direction when a sailboat is said to be "in irons"?
A. On a beam reach
B. On a run
C. Directly into the wind
D. Close-hauled
In irons means the bow is pointing directly into the wind, and the sails luff
with no power, preventing forward motion.
2. Which tack is a boat on when the wind is blowing over the starboard side?
A. Port tack
B. Starboard tack
C. Beam reach
D. Close reach
A boat is on a starboard tack when the wind hits the starboard (right) side
first.
,3. What does a windward boat refer to?
A. The faster boat
B. The boat closest to the finish
C. The boat closest to the wind
D. The leeward boat
The windward boat is the one closer to the source of the wind.
4. What is the purpose of a boom vang?
A. Controls the downward tension on the boom
B. Attaches the boom to the mast
C. Adjusts the tension of the forestay
D. Controls the tiller
The boom vang prevents the boom from lifting and controls sail shape by
adjusting downward tension.
5. What is the direction opposite to the bow called?
A. Windward
B. Port
C. Starboard
D. Stern
The stern is the rear part of the boat, opposite the bow.
6. Which point of sail is fastest downwind?
A. Beam reach
B. Broad reach
C. Close-hauled
D. Head-to-wind
, A broad reach is often the fastest point of sail on many boats, just shy of
sailing directly downwind.
7. What is "tacking"?
A. Turning the boat away from the wind
B. Turning the bow through the wind
C. Turning the stern through the wind
D. Heading directly downwind
Tacking is turning the bow through the wind to change direction when
sailing upwind.
8. When is a sailboat said to be on a "run"?
A. When the wind is directly behind
B. When sailing upwind
C. When heeling hard
D. When the sails are trimmed in
A run is when the boat is sailing directly away from the wind.
9. What is the "clew" of a sail?
A. Top corner
B. Lower aft corner
C. Forward lower corner
D. Middle of the sail
The clew is the lower aft corner of a sail, where the sheet attaches.
10.Which sail control tightens the foot of the mainsail?
A. Outhaul
B. Halyard
, C. Topping lift
D. Jib sheet
The outhaul adjusts the tension along the boom to flatten or loosen the
mainsail’s foot.
11.What does “leeward” mean?
A. The side facing the wind
B. The side away from the wind
C. The stern direction
D. The port side
Leeward refers to the direction away from the wind.
12.What should you do to reduce heeling when overpowered?
A. Bear away
B. Raise the jib
C. Luff the sails
D. Reef the sails
Reefing reduces sail area, which reduces heeling in strong wind.
13.What type of knot is used to tie a line to a cleat?
A. Bowline
B. Cleat hitch
C. Clove hitch
D. Square knot
A cleat hitch secures a line to a cleat quickly and effectively.
14.What does the telltale on the sail help with?
A. Navigation
