CALIFORNIA BOATING COMPREHENSIVE EXAM
QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS 2025/2026 GRADED A+
✔✔When onboard and facing the front of a boat, where is the bow? - ✔✔in front of you
✔✔Deep "V" hulls operate best in what type of water conditions? - ✔✔rough water
✔✔What is another name for the boat's serial number? - ✔✔hull identification number
✔✔What must be done with the vessel's registration paper? - ✔✔keep it aboard the
boat when in operation
✔✔What must a Type III Marine Sanitation Device have when boating on inland
waters? - ✔✔a closed and secured Y valve
✔✔In order to dispose of plastic trash while boating, what must you do? - ✔✔wait until
you return and properly dispose ashore
✔✔What can you do to help prevent the spread of aquatic nuisance species? - ✔✔wash
boat and trailer at the ramp after retrieving it
✔✔Lesson 2
When selecting a life jacket, what should be the most important consideration? -
✔✔size
✔✔How often should the inflator on a Type V life jacket be checked? - ✔✔every time it
is worn
✔✔What should you do with a torn life jacket? - ✔✔discard and replace it - do not
attempt to fix it
✔✔A properly fitted wearable PFD should have which characteristics? - ✔✔keep the
head and chin above the water
✔✔Which of the following items is/are required on a 12 foot inflatable dinghy? - ✔✔life
jackets
✔✔Which of the following is required to have a backfire flame arrestor? - ✔✔a boat with
a gasoline inboard engine
✔✔When paddling a canoe at night, which piece of equipment should be carried to help
avoid a collision? - ✔✔flashlight
, ✔✔If another boat signals their intention to pass you from astern, what should you do? -
✔✔answer with the same signal if in agreement and maintain course and speed
✔✔What is the proper procedure for using hand-held visual distress signal flares? -
✔✔display only when immediate or potential danger exists
✔✔Why is the height of a VHF radio antenna important? - ✔✔VHF radios work by the
line of sight principle
✔✔What is the USCG-approved meaning of "serviceable condition" for life jackets? -
✔✔straps and zippers work
✔✔Which of the following is a legal requirement for a life jacket? - ✔✔must be in good,
serviceable condition
✔✔Boating safety advocates suggest that adults wear a life jacket during what activity?
- ✔✔at all times on the water
✔✔At a minimum, what color all-around light should a non-powered canoe or kayak
display in reduced visibility? - ✔✔white
✔✔What do two short horn blasts from another vessel mean in a meeting situation? -
✔✔they intend to pass starboard side to starboard side
✔✔Hand-held flares are type approved for what conditions or time? - ✔✔day or night
✔✔When operating your vessel with a VHF radio, what channel must you monitor? -
✔✔16
✔✔Lesson 3
What is the purpose of filing a float plan? - ✔✔to provide important information in case
of an emergency
✔✔Tide tables contain which of the following? - ✔✔the height of the tide
✔✔Which safety precaution should be taken first by a boat operator when boating in
stormy weather? - ✔✔make sure all aboard are wearing USCG-approved life jackets
✔✔What should you do if caught in severe storm conditions? - ✔✔put on your life jacket
if it's not on already
QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS 2025/2026 GRADED A+
✔✔When onboard and facing the front of a boat, where is the bow? - ✔✔in front of you
✔✔Deep "V" hulls operate best in what type of water conditions? - ✔✔rough water
✔✔What is another name for the boat's serial number? - ✔✔hull identification number
✔✔What must be done with the vessel's registration paper? - ✔✔keep it aboard the
boat when in operation
✔✔What must a Type III Marine Sanitation Device have when boating on inland
waters? - ✔✔a closed and secured Y valve
✔✔In order to dispose of plastic trash while boating, what must you do? - ✔✔wait until
you return and properly dispose ashore
✔✔What can you do to help prevent the spread of aquatic nuisance species? - ✔✔wash
boat and trailer at the ramp after retrieving it
✔✔Lesson 2
When selecting a life jacket, what should be the most important consideration? -
✔✔size
✔✔How often should the inflator on a Type V life jacket be checked? - ✔✔every time it
is worn
✔✔What should you do with a torn life jacket? - ✔✔discard and replace it - do not
attempt to fix it
✔✔A properly fitted wearable PFD should have which characteristics? - ✔✔keep the
head and chin above the water
✔✔Which of the following items is/are required on a 12 foot inflatable dinghy? - ✔✔life
jackets
✔✔Which of the following is required to have a backfire flame arrestor? - ✔✔a boat with
a gasoline inboard engine
✔✔When paddling a canoe at night, which piece of equipment should be carried to help
avoid a collision? - ✔✔flashlight
, ✔✔If another boat signals their intention to pass you from astern, what should you do? -
✔✔answer with the same signal if in agreement and maintain course and speed
✔✔What is the proper procedure for using hand-held visual distress signal flares? -
✔✔display only when immediate or potential danger exists
✔✔Why is the height of a VHF radio antenna important? - ✔✔VHF radios work by the
line of sight principle
✔✔What is the USCG-approved meaning of "serviceable condition" for life jackets? -
✔✔straps and zippers work
✔✔Which of the following is a legal requirement for a life jacket? - ✔✔must be in good,
serviceable condition
✔✔Boating safety advocates suggest that adults wear a life jacket during what activity?
- ✔✔at all times on the water
✔✔At a minimum, what color all-around light should a non-powered canoe or kayak
display in reduced visibility? - ✔✔white
✔✔What do two short horn blasts from another vessel mean in a meeting situation? -
✔✔they intend to pass starboard side to starboard side
✔✔Hand-held flares are type approved for what conditions or time? - ✔✔day or night
✔✔When operating your vessel with a VHF radio, what channel must you monitor? -
✔✔16
✔✔Lesson 3
What is the purpose of filing a float plan? - ✔✔to provide important information in case
of an emergency
✔✔Tide tables contain which of the following? - ✔✔the height of the tide
✔✔Which safety precaution should be taken first by a boat operator when boating in
stormy weather? - ✔✔make sure all aboard are wearing USCG-approved life jackets
✔✔What should you do if caught in severe storm conditions? - ✔✔put on your life jacket
if it's not on already
