ASA 104 Bareboat Cruising Exam Study Guide 2026 – Complete
Question Bank with Detailed Rationales | Systems, Navigation,
Seamanship & Weather|Aplusexports|pdf
50 Multiple-Choice Questions with Answers and Rationales
Introduction: This guide reflects the ASA 104 bareboat cruising standard, which centers on safe multi-day coastal
cruising, passage planning, vessel systems, anchoring, and practical seamanship.
1. What is the most useful first step when solving a set-and-drift problem on a chart?
A. Guess the wind angle
B. Plot the DR position first
C. Turn on anchor light
D. Change the engine RPM
Answer B: Plot DR first
Rationale: You need the dead-reckoning position before applying current correction.
2. A vessel steers 180°T at 5 knots for 3 hours. What is the dead-reckoning distance?
A. 10 nautical miles
B. 12 nautical miles
C. 15 nautical miles
D. 18 nautical miles
Answer C: 15 nautical miles
, Rationale: Multiply speed by time to get 15 nautical miles.
3. If the current sets 090°T at 2 knots while you make 4 knots through the water on 000°T, what is the main
correction you must account for?
A. Leeway only
B. Set and drift
C. Variation only
D. Tidal range
Answer B: Set and drift
Rationale: Current pushes the boat off track; set is direction and drift is speed.
4. A boat makes good 3 nautical miles in 1.5 hours. What is its speed over ground?
A. 1 knot
B. 2 knots
C. 3 knots
D. 4.5 knots
Answer B: 2 knots
Rationale: Speed equals distance divided by time, so 3 ÷ 1.5 = 2.
5. You intend to steer 045°T but the current sets 090°T at 1 knot. Which result is most likely if you do not correct
for current?
A. You will track to the west of course
B. You will track to the east of course
C. You will have no change in track
D. You will stop making way
Answer B: Track east of course
Rationale: An easterly set pushes the vessel to starboard on that heading.
6. A current sets 180°T at 2 knots and your boat makes 4 knots through the water on 090°T. What term describes
the current’s speed?
A. Heading
B. Bearing
C. Drift
D. Variation
Answer C: Drift
Rationale: Drift is the speed component of current in knots.
Question Bank with Detailed Rationales | Systems, Navigation,
Seamanship & Weather|Aplusexports|pdf
50 Multiple-Choice Questions with Answers and Rationales
Introduction: This guide reflects the ASA 104 bareboat cruising standard, which centers on safe multi-day coastal
cruising, passage planning, vessel systems, anchoring, and practical seamanship.
1. What is the most useful first step when solving a set-and-drift problem on a chart?
A. Guess the wind angle
B. Plot the DR position first
C. Turn on anchor light
D. Change the engine RPM
Answer B: Plot DR first
Rationale: You need the dead-reckoning position before applying current correction.
2. A vessel steers 180°T at 5 knots for 3 hours. What is the dead-reckoning distance?
A. 10 nautical miles
B. 12 nautical miles
C. 15 nautical miles
D. 18 nautical miles
Answer C: 15 nautical miles
, Rationale: Multiply speed by time to get 15 nautical miles.
3. If the current sets 090°T at 2 knots while you make 4 knots through the water on 000°T, what is the main
correction you must account for?
A. Leeway only
B. Set and drift
C. Variation only
D. Tidal range
Answer B: Set and drift
Rationale: Current pushes the boat off track; set is direction and drift is speed.
4. A boat makes good 3 nautical miles in 1.5 hours. What is its speed over ground?
A. 1 knot
B. 2 knots
C. 3 knots
D. 4.5 knots
Answer B: 2 knots
Rationale: Speed equals distance divided by time, so 3 ÷ 1.5 = 2.
5. You intend to steer 045°T but the current sets 090°T at 1 knot. Which result is most likely if you do not correct
for current?
A. You will track to the west of course
B. You will track to the east of course
C. You will have no change in track
D. You will stop making way
Answer B: Track east of course
Rationale: An easterly set pushes the vessel to starboard on that heading.
6. A current sets 180°T at 2 knots and your boat makes 4 knots through the water on 090°T. What term describes
the current’s speed?
A. Heading
B. Bearing
C. Drift
D. Variation
Answer C: Drift
Rationale: Drift is the speed component of current in knots.
