ASA 104 EXAM 2026/27 QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS (GRADED A+)
Four items that should be packed in carry-on luggage rather than checked baggage:
- ANSWER-passport, charter documents, money, license, change of clothes
Automatic Bilge Pump - ANSWER-Powered by the battery (activated when the float
switch senses water in the bilge)
Manual Bilge Pump - ANSWER-bilge pump that is operated by hand
To fill a cruising sailboat's freshwater tank, you must: - ANSWER-Ensure that the
dock's freshwater supply is clean and then fill through the water inlet
What does a freshwater pump cycling on and off when no one is using water mean?
- ANSWER-Indicates an open valve or a leak in the plumbing
When done using propane stove, you must first: - ANSWER-turn off the solenoid
switch
You must pump sufficiently after using the head to ensure that the wast reaches the:
- ANSWER-Holding tank
To pump out a marine holding tank, you must unscrew the ________ ________
_________, then hold the ____________ ___________ FIRMLY in the waste outlet.
- ANSWER-deck waste plate, pumpout nozzle
Raw Water Pump - ANSWER-Circulates seawater in the engine's raw-water cooling
system; should have a spare impeller for it on board.
4 factors that affect a sailing vessel's range under power: - ANSWER-Tank capacity,
wind and water, current, engine rpm
4 items that should be on boat in addition to tool set: - ANSWER-zipties, duct tape,
WD-40, engine oil
In-mast furling mainsail is deployed using the: - ANSWER-Outhaul
Weather Helm - ANSWER-The boat's tendency to head up toward the wind, which
occurs when a sailboat is overpowered.
What should you do when setting a roller furling jib? - ANSWER-Must control the
rate at which the sail deploys by taking a turn of the furling line around a winch to
prevent overrides occurring in the drum.
How is the battery bank recharged most effectively when not on shorepower? -
ANSWER-Using the alternator.
, What should the engine be running at to ensure alternator is useful? - ANSWER-
1,500 rpms
Inverter - ANSWER-A device that converts DC to AC.
Rudder Stock - ANSWER-A vertical shaft that connects the rudder to the steering
gear, transmitting the steering force.
Is where the emergency tiller fits into in case the steering cables fail
Two ways diesel engine cooling as achieved: - ANSWER-By using anti-freeze in the
pressurized internal system, AND coolant flow is regulated by a thermostat
When in weather helm, you must hold rudder at a _______ angle to ensure the boat
goes straight - ANSWER-large
***Also, this works because the large angle in the rudder causes drag and slows the
boat
Preventer - ANSWER-a line or tackle rigged to the boom to prevent an accidental
gybe while running
Can depower sails by decreasing the sails' angle of _________, adding _______
and flattening the sails - ANSWER-Attack, twist
Skipper - ANSWER-responsible for the safety of the crew and boat and can delegate
tasks to an experienced crewmember
4 items of emergency equipment that should be on board and accessible: -
ANSWER-PFDs, fire extinguishers, horn, VHF radio
Sunset Rule - ANSWER-If it's 3 hours to sunset, you have 13 miles to go and can
sail at 4 knots, turn on the motor.
Dodger - ANSWER-A canvas protection in front of the cockpit of some boats that is
designed to keep spray off the skipper and crew.
Seacock - ANSWER-a valve designed for marine use
Battery Charger - ANSWER-converts 110 volt AC to 12 volt DC power to charge the
batteries
Anemometer - ANSWER-An instrument used to measure wind speed
Drive Train - ANSWER-engine and prop and everything in between
Transmission - ANSWER-found aft of the engine, has a dipstick, for checking level of
transmission fluid.
Running Gear - ANSWER-everything aft of transmission to the prop
AND ANSWERS (GRADED A+)
Four items that should be packed in carry-on luggage rather than checked baggage:
- ANSWER-passport, charter documents, money, license, change of clothes
Automatic Bilge Pump - ANSWER-Powered by the battery (activated when the float
switch senses water in the bilge)
Manual Bilge Pump - ANSWER-bilge pump that is operated by hand
To fill a cruising sailboat's freshwater tank, you must: - ANSWER-Ensure that the
dock's freshwater supply is clean and then fill through the water inlet
What does a freshwater pump cycling on and off when no one is using water mean?
- ANSWER-Indicates an open valve or a leak in the plumbing
When done using propane stove, you must first: - ANSWER-turn off the solenoid
switch
You must pump sufficiently after using the head to ensure that the wast reaches the:
- ANSWER-Holding tank
To pump out a marine holding tank, you must unscrew the ________ ________
_________, then hold the ____________ ___________ FIRMLY in the waste outlet.
- ANSWER-deck waste plate, pumpout nozzle
Raw Water Pump - ANSWER-Circulates seawater in the engine's raw-water cooling
system; should have a spare impeller for it on board.
4 factors that affect a sailing vessel's range under power: - ANSWER-Tank capacity,
wind and water, current, engine rpm
4 items that should be on boat in addition to tool set: - ANSWER-zipties, duct tape,
WD-40, engine oil
In-mast furling mainsail is deployed using the: - ANSWER-Outhaul
Weather Helm - ANSWER-The boat's tendency to head up toward the wind, which
occurs when a sailboat is overpowered.
What should you do when setting a roller furling jib? - ANSWER-Must control the
rate at which the sail deploys by taking a turn of the furling line around a winch to
prevent overrides occurring in the drum.
How is the battery bank recharged most effectively when not on shorepower? -
ANSWER-Using the alternator.
, What should the engine be running at to ensure alternator is useful? - ANSWER-
1,500 rpms
Inverter - ANSWER-A device that converts DC to AC.
Rudder Stock - ANSWER-A vertical shaft that connects the rudder to the steering
gear, transmitting the steering force.
Is where the emergency tiller fits into in case the steering cables fail
Two ways diesel engine cooling as achieved: - ANSWER-By using anti-freeze in the
pressurized internal system, AND coolant flow is regulated by a thermostat
When in weather helm, you must hold rudder at a _______ angle to ensure the boat
goes straight - ANSWER-large
***Also, this works because the large angle in the rudder causes drag and slows the
boat
Preventer - ANSWER-a line or tackle rigged to the boom to prevent an accidental
gybe while running
Can depower sails by decreasing the sails' angle of _________, adding _______
and flattening the sails - ANSWER-Attack, twist
Skipper - ANSWER-responsible for the safety of the crew and boat and can delegate
tasks to an experienced crewmember
4 items of emergency equipment that should be on board and accessible: -
ANSWER-PFDs, fire extinguishers, horn, VHF radio
Sunset Rule - ANSWER-If it's 3 hours to sunset, you have 13 miles to go and can
sail at 4 knots, turn on the motor.
Dodger - ANSWER-A canvas protection in front of the cockpit of some boats that is
designed to keep spray off the skipper and crew.
Seacock - ANSWER-a valve designed for marine use
Battery Charger - ANSWER-converts 110 volt AC to 12 volt DC power to charge the
batteries
Anemometer - ANSWER-An instrument used to measure wind speed
Drive Train - ANSWER-engine and prop and everything in between
Transmission - ANSWER-found aft of the engine, has a dipstick, for checking level of
transmission fluid.
Running Gear - ANSWER-everything aft of transmission to the prop
