US SAILING Lessons and Sailing School
The cruising test is both for fun and learning.  If you fail the test, you will be prevented from retaking any of the tests for 10 minutes to allow you to review the material.   Once submitted, the computer will grade the test and notify you which questions you have missed.  If you pass, you will be asked if you wish to submit the test via e-mail.  If you do, an answer sheet will be sent back to you.  All information submitted in the form and test will be held in confidence.  To Take Additional Tests Go To Keelboat Sailing Tests !!

Thirty
questions, a score of 70% ( 31 of 44 questions answered correctly ) is required to pass the US SAILING Cruising Test. 
  

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Cruising Questions: 

1.  A knot commonly used to tie a rode to an anchor is a :

Sheet Bend.
Rolling Hitch.
Taut Line Hitch.
Fisherman's Bend.

2.  A knot commonly used to take the tension off of a sheet with an over-ride is a:

  Sheet Bend.
  Rolling Hitch.
  Taut Line Hitch.
  Fisherman's Bend.

3.  Which of the following regarding a pivot turn is true ?

  In a sailboat with a right hand prop, the wheel is kept to port throughout the maneuver.
  In a sailboat with a right hand prop, the wheel is kept to port with forward thrust and starboard with backward thrust.
  In a sailboat with a right hand prop, the wheel is kept to starboard throughout the maneuver.
  In a sailboat with a right hand prop, the wheel is kept to starboard with forward thrust and port with backward thrust.

4.  Which is true about a forward spring line that runs to a cleat on the dock halfway between the bow and stern?          

  It runs from the dock forward to the bow.
  It is used to swing the stern away from the dock by using forward thrust.
  It is used to swing the bow away from the dock by using forward thrust.
  It is used to swing the stern away from the dock by using reverse thrust.
  It is used to swing the bow  away from the dock by using reverse thrust.

5.  Reverse thrust in a heavy displacement sailboat will ?

  Immediately slow the boat to a stop.
  Swing the stern to port with a right-hand prop.
  Swing the stern to starboard with a right-hand prop.
  Swing the bow to port with a right-hand prop..

6. The following predicts deteriorating weather ?

  A)  Raising barometric pressure.
  B)  Cumulus clouds which do not change height.
  C)  Falling barometric pressure.
   D)  Cirrus clouds.
  "A" and "B"
  "C" and "D"

7. Which statement is TRUE regarding sea breezes ?

  They occur when the land cools down in relationship to the water.
  Are weaker than land breezes.
  Occur in the afternoon.
  Blow from the land to the sea.

8. Which of the following is true ?

  In a lifting wind, one can head up..
  A backing wind causes a boat to head down .
  A header is a clockwise shift in the wind.
  A veering wind is a counterclockwise shift in the wind..
 

9.  The proper signals for a boat at anchor are?

White light at the top of the mast and a single downward pointed cone day shape.
White light at the top of the mast and a single round day shape.
Red light at the top of the mast and a single downward pointed cone day shape.
Red light at the top of the mast and a single round day shape.
Green light at the top of the mast and a single downward pointed cone day shape.

10.  A 42-foot sailboat has it's sails up and motor on, what day shape is it required to display ?

  Single ball.
  Single diamond.
  Single cylinder.
  Single inverted cone.
  It is not required to display a day shape.

11.  You and four other sailboats are leaving a channel to enter a Regatta.  You come upon a large dredger sitting off the far shore.  Between the dredger and the shore are displayed two diamond day shapes aligned vertically.  Between the dredger and the main channel are displayed two round balls aligned vertically.  You should do the following:

  Proceed down the main channel, since you should never pass between the dredger and the shore.
  Proceed between the dredger and the shore, assuming the depth of the water will allow your passage.
  Proceed down the main channel but at minimum speed to allow steerage, keeping at least 100 yards from the dredger.
  Turn back and miss the regatta.   

12.  Because the dredger, in question 11, is sitting between the main channel and the shore, you decide to pass down the main channel.   You hear five blasts of the dredger's horn.  What should you do?

The dredger is signaling danger and you should proceed with caution.
The dredger is signaling a greeting because you are racing in the regatta and you should return five blasts of your horn.
The dredger is signaling danger, stop and turn back.

13.  You see the following flag on a boat:

  The boat is signaling distress and you should approach and help out.
  The boat is awaiting custom clearance.
  The boat has a diver in the water and you should stay away.
  The boat is signaling you are in danger and you should stop immediately and head in the other direction.

14.  You have been motor-sailing for 6 hours and you have heard the automatic bilge pump turn on.   You check the bilge and find it contains a small amount of water.  You taste the water and it is salty.  The most likely source of the water is: 

  A leak in the sink or in the refrigeration system.
You should inspect the hull immediately since, a slow leak in the hull caused by a stress fracture is the most  common cause of this problem.
You should check the keel bolts since they are probably loose and the keel may fall off.
You should check all through hulls since this is the most common source of a hull leak.
There is no problem since a small amount of water is expected to leak around the stuffing box.

15.  An explosive gas which rises and is used in on a sailboat for a cooking fuel is?

 Natural Gas (CNG)
  Methane
  Propane
  Alcohol

16.  You are sailing down a deep water channel at night, in very light winds, and see the light pattern shown to the right, dead ahead of your ship.  You should:

Maintain course and heading,  The ship will get out of the way and pass you on your port side.
Turn the sailboat 90 degrees to starboard, turn on the motor, and motor sail out of the channel.  
Maintain course and heading,  The ship is heading away from you.
Heave-to to allow the ship to safely pass.

17.  You are sailing in a 42' sailboat on the ocean in the Northern Hemisphere and find that a hurricane is 200 miles off to the east and heading dead at you, at a speed of 12 knots.  You should do the following.  Winds are strong at 14 knots.  

Turn on your motor and try to out-run the storm by motor sailing.
Heave-to and ride out the storm, you cannot out-run it.
Sail south
Sail north

18.  The advantages of a 406 MHz EPIRB (Emergency Position Beacon) are as follows.

Detected by high and low orbiting satellites.
Better signal location for detecting the position of the boat.
Transmits a unique identification number to identify the boat in distress.
Available option to transmit position data.
All of the above.

19.  When pulling out of a slip in a marina and into a channel, how should you position your boat

On the windward side of the channel.
In the middle of the Channel.
On the leeward side of the channel.
It does not matter since the other boats in the marina will shield the wind.

20.  A crew member detached the halyard from the mainsail and it has gone to the top of the mast.  There is a spinnaker halyard, however you do not have a bowsman's chair.  What knot could you used to help you out of this predicament ? 

Fisherman's bend
Bowline
Bowline on a bight
Carrick bend
Taut line hitch
Double sheet bend

21.  You are making way at 7 knots on a close reach point of sail and spot a powerboat on which you are on a collision course with (red arrow in picture below).  You do the following to avoid the collision :  (Select the best answer.)

Go to a beam reach point of sail and pass in front of the powerboat.
Keep on course the powerboat is the give-way vessel and should alter course.
Feather and slow down so you will pass 200 feet behind the powerboat.
Tack and go another direction until the risk of collision passes.

Identify the following parts of the engine :

22.  Alternator        A   B  C  D  E  F
 
23.  Raw Water System's Pump    A   B  C  D  E  F
 
24.  Closed Water System's Pump   A   B  C  D  E  F
 
25   Coolant Intake Cap       A   B  C  D  E  F
 

 

 

 

 

26.  If the engine exhaust's through hull is not spitting water you should check :

The sea strainer.
The raw water system's pump.
The raw water system's seacock.
The exhaust line's attachment to the engine.
All of the above.

27  What is the United States Government's restriction on dumping sewage off shore.  (Note:  Some States may have more stringent restrictions.)

No Restrictions.
Must Be Greater than 1 mile.
Must be greater than 3 miles offshore.
Must be greater than 25 miles offshore.
Cannot dump human sewage anywhere offshore.

28  What is the United States Government's restriction on dumping ground plastic offshore.  (Note:  Some States may have more stringent restrictions.)

No Restrictions.
Must Be Greater than 1 mile.
Must be greater than 3 miles offshore.
Must be greater than 25 miles offshore.
Cannot dump plastic anywhere offshore.

29  How do you work a marine head.

Pump it dry, use the head, pump it wet.
Pump it wet, use the head, pump it wet, pump it dry.
Pump it dry, use the head, pump it dry, pump it wet.
Pump it wet, use the head, pump it dry.
Use the head, pump it dry.

30.  Which of the following is true about operating the electricity on a cruising keelboat :

You turn the battery switch to OFF while the engine is running and producing electricity in the alternator.
When sailing and under battery power, you should only keep on the following:  Instruments,  Communications, Refrigerator and Bilge Pump.
While on a mooring you should have the battery switch to ALL
The most common shore outlet configuration is 30 Amps.

31.   In the treatment of a crew member that has become seasick, you should :

Have him read and try to do chart work.
Give him some alcohol.
Have the crew member in the cockpit and looking to the horizon.
Instruct the other crew members to heave too.

32.  Treatment of hypothermia should include :

Slow warming
Giving Stimulants
Rubbing limbs
Rapid warming

33.  The average survival time in 55 deg Fahrenheit water for a person with a PFD in the survival position is ?

14 hrs
7 hrs
3.5 hrs
1.75 hrs

34.  To increase survival time in cold water a person in the water should :

Stay in the survival position with the head out of the water and knees bent up.
Tread water.
Swim toward shore.

35.  Signs of Heat Stroke are :

Throbbing headache
Lack of sweating
Nausea
Delirium
All of the above

36.  Most of the body's heat is lost through the :

Arms
Legs
Trunk
Head

37.  What should you check when you suspect the boat is taking on water are ?

Through-hulls
Keel bolts
Snuffing box
Toilet with an open water intake valve
All of the above

38.  To kedge off means to :

Push the boat off a shoal with the dinghy
Place an anchor away from the boat and winch in the rode.
Manually push the boat off the shoal
Back the engine and sails to push off the shoal
Have another boat pull on the halyard to produce excessive heel and reduce the draft of the boat.

39.  Which should NOT be done when towing ?

Wear your life jackets.
Stand away from the tow line, i.e. in the cockpit or cabin.
Use a bridle to distribute the load on the tow line
Place the tow line around a stepped mast for best support

40.  A boat is in the most danger of capsizing when :

Is hit broad side with a breaking wave which is higher than the width of the beam of the boat.
Is hit on the bow with a breaking wave which is higher than the width of the beam of the boat.
Is hit on the stern with a breaking wave which is higher than the width of the beam of the boat.
Is hit on the side with a non-breaking wave which is higher than the LOA of the boat.

41.  A device placed into the water off the stern of the boat to create just enough drag to keep the boat on course is called a :

Drogue
Droid
Parachute Anchor
Painter
Dinghy

42.  One of the main objectives of most passive techniques is to :

Keep the beam of the boat toward the waves
Keep the stern of the boat toward the waves
Run with the waves under bare poles
Keep the bow of the boat toward the waves

43.  Which of the following can help accomplish the objective in question #42 ?

Hoisting a riding sail.
Heaving-to.
Using a Parachute Anchor.
Using running warps.
All of the Above

44.  What is the minimum amount of much water that a sailor needs to drink each day ?

Half a Quart.
Two Quarts to One Gallon.
2 Gallons.
4 Gallons.
 

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