CA Boating Course (120 Questions) Mock Exam *Q&A* (100% Correct) 2025/2026 |VERIFIED|

CA Boating Course (120 Questions) Mock Exam *Q&A* (100% Correct) 2025/2026 |VERIFIED| What happens when a boat exceeds its recommended weight limit? Who should a life jacket on a vessel be properly sized for? It becomes harder to control It's intended wearer What should be done with a life jacket that shows severe discoloration and has a torn strap? Discard and replace it What is the most common early warning sign of an approaching thunderstorm? thunderhead clouds What effect does placing too much weight on a tow vehicle hitch have? Dark, threatening It causes the front end of the vehicle to lift and makes it hard to control What should be the first action if a passenger falls overboard while the boat is at anchor? them a type IV Coast Guard-approved life jacket What is the primary cause of fatal boating accidents? When is the best time to clean your boat to prevent spreading invasive species? the ramp area What essential safety item must be present on a 15-foot boat? lifejacket for each person Throw Operator error Before leaving One Coast Guard approved What action should boaters take to enhance safety on the nation's waterways, according to the Department of Homeland Security? Report suspicious activities to authorities 1 Where do gasoline fumes most often accumulate in a boat? In the bilge area What is required of a boat operator while the boat is underway? all times When can a navigation rule be disregarded? Maintaining a proper lookout at When avoiding immediate danger What should be checked regularly on gasoline-powered boats as part of routine maintenance? Examine thru-hull fittings for leaks or signs of corrosion What happens to reasoning ability when under the influence of alcohol on a boat? impaired How does alcohol affect boat operators and passengers? It becomes It slows physical reactions What happens when a red, green, and white light are seen together at night? another vessel heading directly toward you It is the bow of What is the most common cause of collisions with submerged hazards or reefs? for local hazards before launching What should adults do when boating in stormy weather? Failure to check Ensure everyone aboard is wearing life jackets What action should be taken first when boating in stormy weather? wearing life jackets Make sure everyone aboard is What is the biggest risk associated with activities like teak surfing or platform dragging? of deadly carbon monoxide fumes Inhalation 2 What is the key factor in determining a safe boat speed for the day? Traffic density in the area What does it mean when a red, green, and white light are seen together at night? another vessel heading directly toward you What is the main danger of teak surfing, body surfing, or platform dragging? It is the bow of Exposure to lethal concentrations of carbon monoxide What should a boat operator ensure when expecting stormy weather? wearing life jackets What happens if too much weight is placed on a tow hitch? vehicle difficult to control What is the most important factor in determining a safe vessel speed? displacement hull push water to side cut through w/ little propulsion planing hull rise above the water personal watercraft inboard jet drive small vessel sit, stand, kneel on it rather than in it (jet ski) planing hull modes Displacement mode Plowing mode (bad) Planing mode (above the water) Ensure everyone aboard is The front end will lift and make the Traffic density 3 how do you measure length? (do not include rutters, etc.) transom bow to stern vertical surface @ back of hull outboard Portable, self-contained package of engine, gear case, propeller Attached to transom inboard engines for marine use stern drives (inboard/outboards, I/Os) Mounted inside boat Marine useWhen is a red, green, and white light seen together at night? approaching vessel heading straight toward you The port side of a vessel is the ___ side. The stern of a vessel is the ___ of the vessel. Left Basic types of vessel hulls can be described as ___. a) moving and non-moving b) displacement and planing c) rough and smooth d) narrow and wide b) displacement and planing Name three basic hull shapes. II) Flat Bottom III) Vee Bottom I) Round Bottom It indicates the bow of an Rear 4 What are the four length classes of vessels? II) 16 to less than 26 feet III) 26 to less than 40 feet IV) 40 to less than 65 feet List the four basic types of engines. I) Less than 16 feet I) Outboard II) Inboard III) Stern Drive IV) Jet Drive Stern drive and inboard engines are ___. a) marinized outboard engines b) specially designed and built engines c) automotive engines adapted for marine use d) jet drive engines c) automotive engines adapted for marine use The U.S. Coast Guard considers personal watercraft to be ___. Inboard Vessels Personal watercraft are not subject to the laws and requirements of other vessels. True / False False Impeller An ___ is a device used to pump and force water under pressure through a steering nozzle at the rear of the vessel. What information is displayed on the capacity plate of an outboard powerboat? pounds or number of people II) Recommended maximum horsepower I) Capacity in 5 List three things that should be included on your float plan before you embark on an extended outing. I) Vessel's description; give number, size, make, etc. II) Number, names, and addresses of passengers III) Trip plan Name three things that you should do while filling the fuel tank of your vessel. in contact with the tank opening II) Fill tank slowly and avoid spilling III) Never fill to the brim I) Keep the nozzle A rule of thumb to prevent running out of fuel on a PWC is ___ out, ___ in, and ___ in reserve. out, 1/3 in, and 1/3 in reserve 1/3 If the combined weight of the vessel and its engine is more than ___ of the recommended load capacity of the trailer, you should get the next larger trailer. 90% "Tongue weight" is the amount of the loaded trailer's weight that ___. towing hitch Presses down on the Two strong safety chains should be ___ to support the trailer's coupler in case it becomes disconnected from the towing vehicle. Crisscrossed Where should you prepare your vessel before launching it from the trailer? boat ramp Name three engine maintenance tips. II) Check oil levels III) Change oil IV) Check batteries V) Grease and lubricate VI) Check for anything loose I) Keep well tuned Well away from the 6 Stern Line If the wind or current direction is toward the dock, you should cast off the ___ first when leaving the dock. The ___ is required to take early and substantial action to avoid a collision by stopping, slowing down, or changing course. Give-way Vessel The stand-on vessel must ___ unless ___. Maintain its course of speed unless it becomes apparent the give-way vessel is not taking appropriate action. Right If you are driving a powerboat or PWC and meet another powerboat or PWC head-on, you should keep to the ___. If you are overtaking another vessel, you are the stand-on vessel. True / False False If you see a red and a white light ahead when boating at night, you should maintain course and speed. True / False False If you see only a green light while boating at night, you may be approaching a ___ and you must ___. Sailing vessel and you must give way ___ are the "traffic signals" that guide boaters safely along their course. Buoys and markers The phrase "R___ R___ R___" reminds vessels of the correct course in the lateral system of U.S. Aids to Navigation. Red Right Returning A green can buoy marks the edge of the channel on a boater's ___ side when entering from the open sea or heading upstream. Left 7 The regulatory marker indicates ___. Danger The regulatory marker indicates areas that are ___ to vessels. Off-limits A good rule of thumb is that the anchor line should be at least ___ times the depth of the water. 7-10 You should never anchor from the ___ of the vessel as that can make the vessel unstable. To maintain steering control of a PWC, you must never allow the engine to ___ or ___. Stern Return to idle or shut off The most common complaints boaters have against PWC operators are ___ and ___. jumping and riding too close Wake As a courtesy to other boaters and people on shore, PWC operators should ___ the operating area. Vary Name a safety device that shuts the engine off if the operator is thrown from the proper operating position. Emergency Ignition Safety Switch To avoid propeller strike accidents, make sure ___ when passengers are boarding or disembarking a boat. The engine is shut off The ___ is a number assigned and imprinted by the vessel manufacturer and is unique to your vessel. Hull Identification Number Allowing passengers to ride on the ___ or ___while underway is reckless operation. gunwale Bow or 8 If your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is above the legal limit, it is illegal to ___ a vessel. Operate In order for a PFD to be legal, it must be ___-approved, in ___ condition, and ___ accessible. Coast Guard approved, in good and serviceable condition, and readily accessible Name the five types of PFDs. II) Near-shore Vest III) Flotation aid IV) Throwable device V) Special-use device I) Offshore life Jacket These Type ___ PFDs are ___ devices, and most states require at least one of these to be on board vessels 16 feet in length or longer. Type IV PFDs are throwable devices PWC operations, no matter what age, must wear an approved ___ whenever underway. Flotation Device (PFD) Fire extinguishers should be placed in an area that is ___ and not near the ___. U.S. Personal Accessible and not near the engine It is recommended that you wait at least ___ minutes after turning on your vessel's blower (if so equipped) and before starting your engine. Four For an 18-foot-powerboat, required navigation lights include a red light on the ___, a green light on the ___, and ___. Red light on the port (left), a green light on the starboard (right), and a white light A 16-foot canoe away from dock after dark must have on hand at least a ___ or ___. lantern Name two visual distress signals (VDSs) for use at night. I) Red flares Flashlight or 9 II) Red meteors III) Electric Light Describe the appearance of a divers flag. Red flag with white diagonal stripe If an observer is on board when pulling a skier behind a vessel, the vessel should be rated to carry at least ___ people. Three Water-skier(s) may be towed at night with proper lighting. True / False False It is illegal to discharge ___, ___, or ___ into federally controlled or state waters. trash You must report on any accident you are in if it results in ___, ___, or ___. significant property damage In a typical boating fatality, life jackets are ___ but are not ___. worn Name three boating stressors that make you tire more rapidly when on the water. heat of the sun II) Motion III) Noise and Vibration of the Engine To prevent dehydration while on the water, you should drink some water at least ___. minutes Waste, oil, or Death, serious injury, or On the boat but are not being I) Glare and Every 15-20 One-___ of the amount of alcohol that makes a person legally intoxicated on land can be enough to make someone equally intoxicated when on the water. Third 10 ___ is a major contributor to boating accidents and fatalities. Alcohol An easy way to remember priorities for rescuing someone who has fallen into the water is ___, ___, and ___! Reach, Throw, Row and Go! If you capsize, immediately swim to shore to ensure your safety. True / False False What are four things you should do if a fire erupts on your boat while underway? vessel and put on a PFD II) Keep fire downwind III) Shut off fuel supply IV) Aim extinguisher at base of flames The condition called ___ occurs when the body loses heat faster than it can produce it. Hyptohermia The primary danger that occurs immediately upon being immersed in cold water is ___. Involuntary gasping, resulting in water inhalation and drowning The position you should assume if trapped in cold water, "HELP," stands for: "E" - Escape "L" - Lessening "P" - Posture Name four symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. II) Headache III) Nausea IV) Weakness V) Dizziness I) Irritated eyes I) Stop the "H" - Hear 11 Bleeding usually can be controlled by applying ___ to the wound. Direct pressure As the operator of a vessel, you are responsible for ensuring that your passengers understand ___ and ___. Basic safety practices and laws Before allowing anyone to operate your PWC, you should remind them that power is ___. Required for steering control To protect the environment, you should practice the three "Rs" - R___, R___, and R___. Reuse, and Recycle If you capsize in a canoe, kayak, or raft, you should stay on the ___ side of the craft. What are three river hazards that paddlers should avoid? II) Rapids III) Strainers I) Low-head dams When picking up a skier, always keep them in view and on the ___ side of the boat. Reduce, Upstream Operator's In addition to a displayed diver-down flag, what indicates that a diver may be below the water's surface? Bubbles When passing under power lines and bridges, sailboat operators need to be aware of the ___. Masthead clearance Hunters who use vessels to get their hunting spot should always wear their ___. Life jackets (PFDs) 12