Boating 2025-2026 Exam Questions Terms and Answers.
bow correct answers Front of a vessel
stern correct answers Rear of a vessel
starboard correct answers Right side of a vessel
Port correct answers Left side of a vessel
Hull correct answers Body of a vessel
Gunwale correct answers Upper edge of a vessel's side
Cleat correct answers Metal fitting on which a rope can be fastened
Propeller correct answers Rotates and powers a boat forward or backward
Beam correct answers Maximum width of a vessel
Freeboard correct answers Distance from water to lowest point of the boat where water could
come on board
Draft correct answers Depth of water needed to float a vessel
Keel correct answers Main centerline (backbone) of a vessel or the extension of the hull that
increases stability in the water
Displacement Hull correct answers - push the water aside and are designed to cut through the
water with very little propulsion
- weight of water moved when the boat is put into the water is same as the weight of the boat
- limited to slow speeds
- smoother
- round bottom hull
(sailing)
Planning Hulls correct answers - designed to rise up and glide on top of the water when enough
power is supplied. These boats may operate like displacement hulls when at rest or at slow
speeds but climb toward the surface of the water as they move faster.
- skim along at high speed, riding almost on top of the water rather than pushing it aside
- Flat-bottomed and vee-bottomed hull shapes act as planing hulls. Most small power-driven
vessels, including personal watercraft (PWCs), and some small sailboats have planing hulls,
allowing them to travel more rapidly across the water.
,personal watercraft correct answers A small vessel that uses an inboard jet drive as its primary
source of propulsion, and is designed to be operated by a person or persons sitting, standing, or
kneeling on the vessel rather than inside the vessel
Modes of a Planning Hull correct answers Displacement Mode, Plowing Mode, Planning Mode
Displacement Mode correct answers A planing hull, when operated at very slow speeds, will cut
through the water like a displacement hull.
Plowing Mode correct answers As speed increases, a planing hull will have a raised bow,
reducing the operator's vision and throwing a very large wake. Avoid maintaining a speed that
puts your boat in plowing mode.
Planing Mode correct answers Your boat is in planing mode when enough power is applied so
that the hull glides on top of the water. Different boats reach planing mode at different speeds.
Flat Bottom Hull correct answers Advantages: This planing hull has a shallow draft, which is
good for fishing in small lakes and rivers.
Disadvantages: Rides roughly in choppy waters.
Deep Vee Hull correct answers Advantages: This planing hull gives a smoother ride than a flat
bottom hull in rough water.
Disadvantages: Takes more power to move at the same speed as flat bottom hulls. May roll or
bank in sharp turns.
Round Bottom Hull correct answers Advantages: This typical displacement hull moves easily
through the water even at slow speeds.
Disadvantages: Has a tendency to roll unless it has a deep keel or stabilizers.
Multi - Hull correct answers Advantages: Another example of a displacement hull, the multi-hull
has greater stability because of its wide beam.
Disadvantages: Needs a large area when turning
length overall correct answers Length of the hull excluding any attachments
rudder correct answers Steering device, usually a vertical blade attached to a post at, or near, the
stern of the boat
What does overall length show? correct answers the equipment the vessel must have to comply
with federal and state laws.
Length Classes correct answers A, 1, 2, 3
Class A correct answers Less than 16 feet
Class 1 correct answers 16- 26ft
,Class 2 correct answers 26- 40ft
Class 3 correct answers 40- 65ft
Outboard Engines correct answers - a portable, self-contained package of an engine, gear case,
and propeller that is attached to the transom of a boat
- four-stroke design, but many are still conventional two-stroke engines that burn oil as a
lubricant along with the fuel. New-technology two-stroke outboards are direct-injection engines
and burn over 75% cleaner than conventional two-stroke outboards.
- Steering is controlled by a tiller or steering wheel that swivels the entire engine to direct
propeller thrust.
propeller correct answers Rotating device that turns and powers a boat forward or backward
tiller correct answers Lever used to turn a rudder to steer a boat
transom correct answers Vertical surface at the back of the hull
Inboard Engines correct answers - four-stroke automotive engine adapted for marine use.
Inboard engines are mounted inside the hull's midsection or in front of the transom.
- runs through the bottom of the hull and is attached to a propeller at the other end.
- Many personal watercraft (PWCs) have two-stroke inboard engines that burn oil as a lubricant
along with the fuel. New-technology two-stroke PWC engines are direct-injection engines and
burn cleaner than conventional PWC engines.
- Steering of most inboard vessels, except PWCs and jet-drive boats, is controlled by a rudder
behind the propeller.
Stern Drives correct answers - Quieter, more fuel efficient engines
- Inboard/Outboard engines
- 4stroke automotive engines adapted for marine use and mounted inside boat
- Attached through the transom to a drive unit ("outdrive") - turns a drive shaft that is attached to
the propeller at the other end
- Steering is controlled by the outdrive
Jet Drives (on inboard and outboard) correct answers use an engine to power a strong water
pump, which sucks up water and then forces the water out the back to thrust the boat forward.
- Mostly PWs
- Also Jet boats
- direction of jet steers the vessel
PWCs correct answers a small vessel that uses an inboard jet drive as its primary source of
propulsion and is designed to be operated by a person or persons sitting, standing, or kneeling on
the vessel rather than inside the vessel. The U.S. Coast Guard includes personal watercraft in the
group of inboard vessels less than 16 feet in length.
, Steering Control correct answers controlling the steering nozzle
Safety Lanyard correct answers short cord from ignition to operator
intake correct answers Opening in the hull that draws water toward the impeller
intake grate correct answers Screening cover over the intake, which prevents large debris from
entering
drive shaft correct answers The long stem connection between the motor and the impeller
impeller correct answers Device used to pump and force water under pressure through a steering
nozzle at the rear of the vessel
steering nozzle correct answers Device used for directing the stream of water to the left or right
at the stern of the PWC, which steers the PWC
Hull: Function correct answers carries the passengers and supports the rigging
Rigging correct answers includes many parts of the sailboat, such as the lines (sheets and
halyards), mainsail, headsail (jib), boom, and mast.
Keel/ Centerboard: Function correct answers attached to the bottom of the hull and keeps the
boat from sliding sideways through the water.
Rudder: Function correct answers used to steer the sailboat, turned by a tiller or steering wheel.
halyards correct answers Lines (ropes) used to raise and lower the sails
Sheets correct answers Lines (ropes) used to control the angle of the sails to the wind
What will happen when a boat is loaded beyond capacity correct answers will swamp or capsize
more easily and will be more difficult to control.
Where is the capacity plate correct answers near the operator's position or on the transom of the
boat. This plate indicates the maximum weight capacity and/or the maximum number of people
that the boat can carry safely in good weather.
What types of boats do not need capacity plates correct answers PWC and sailboat manufacturers
are not required to attach a capacity plate
Transom correct answers Vertical surface at the back of the hull
National Marine Manufactures Association (NMMA) - Capacity Plate laws correct answers on
all boats less than 26 feet
bow correct answers Front of a vessel
stern correct answers Rear of a vessel
starboard correct answers Right side of a vessel
Port correct answers Left side of a vessel
Hull correct answers Body of a vessel
Gunwale correct answers Upper edge of a vessel's side
Cleat correct answers Metal fitting on which a rope can be fastened
Propeller correct answers Rotates and powers a boat forward or backward
Beam correct answers Maximum width of a vessel
Freeboard correct answers Distance from water to lowest point of the boat where water could
come on board
Draft correct answers Depth of water needed to float a vessel
Keel correct answers Main centerline (backbone) of a vessel or the extension of the hull that
increases stability in the water
Displacement Hull correct answers - push the water aside and are designed to cut through the
water with very little propulsion
- weight of water moved when the boat is put into the water is same as the weight of the boat
- limited to slow speeds
- smoother
- round bottom hull
(sailing)
Planning Hulls correct answers - designed to rise up and glide on top of the water when enough
power is supplied. These boats may operate like displacement hulls when at rest or at slow
speeds but climb toward the surface of the water as they move faster.
- skim along at high speed, riding almost on top of the water rather than pushing it aside
- Flat-bottomed and vee-bottomed hull shapes act as planing hulls. Most small power-driven
vessels, including personal watercraft (PWCs), and some small sailboats have planing hulls,
allowing them to travel more rapidly across the water.
,personal watercraft correct answers A small vessel that uses an inboard jet drive as its primary
source of propulsion, and is designed to be operated by a person or persons sitting, standing, or
kneeling on the vessel rather than inside the vessel
Modes of a Planning Hull correct answers Displacement Mode, Plowing Mode, Planning Mode
Displacement Mode correct answers A planing hull, when operated at very slow speeds, will cut
through the water like a displacement hull.
Plowing Mode correct answers As speed increases, a planing hull will have a raised bow,
reducing the operator's vision and throwing a very large wake. Avoid maintaining a speed that
puts your boat in plowing mode.
Planing Mode correct answers Your boat is in planing mode when enough power is applied so
that the hull glides on top of the water. Different boats reach planing mode at different speeds.
Flat Bottom Hull correct answers Advantages: This planing hull has a shallow draft, which is
good for fishing in small lakes and rivers.
Disadvantages: Rides roughly in choppy waters.
Deep Vee Hull correct answers Advantages: This planing hull gives a smoother ride than a flat
bottom hull in rough water.
Disadvantages: Takes more power to move at the same speed as flat bottom hulls. May roll or
bank in sharp turns.
Round Bottom Hull correct answers Advantages: This typical displacement hull moves easily
through the water even at slow speeds.
Disadvantages: Has a tendency to roll unless it has a deep keel or stabilizers.
Multi - Hull correct answers Advantages: Another example of a displacement hull, the multi-hull
has greater stability because of its wide beam.
Disadvantages: Needs a large area when turning
length overall correct answers Length of the hull excluding any attachments
rudder correct answers Steering device, usually a vertical blade attached to a post at, or near, the
stern of the boat
What does overall length show? correct answers the equipment the vessel must have to comply
with federal and state laws.
Length Classes correct answers A, 1, 2, 3
Class A correct answers Less than 16 feet
Class 1 correct answers 16- 26ft
,Class 2 correct answers 26- 40ft
Class 3 correct answers 40- 65ft
Outboard Engines correct answers - a portable, self-contained package of an engine, gear case,
and propeller that is attached to the transom of a boat
- four-stroke design, but many are still conventional two-stroke engines that burn oil as a
lubricant along with the fuel. New-technology two-stroke outboards are direct-injection engines
and burn over 75% cleaner than conventional two-stroke outboards.
- Steering is controlled by a tiller or steering wheel that swivels the entire engine to direct
propeller thrust.
propeller correct answers Rotating device that turns and powers a boat forward or backward
tiller correct answers Lever used to turn a rudder to steer a boat
transom correct answers Vertical surface at the back of the hull
Inboard Engines correct answers - four-stroke automotive engine adapted for marine use.
Inboard engines are mounted inside the hull's midsection or in front of the transom.
- runs through the bottom of the hull and is attached to a propeller at the other end.
- Many personal watercraft (PWCs) have two-stroke inboard engines that burn oil as a lubricant
along with the fuel. New-technology two-stroke PWC engines are direct-injection engines and
burn cleaner than conventional PWC engines.
- Steering of most inboard vessels, except PWCs and jet-drive boats, is controlled by a rudder
behind the propeller.
Stern Drives correct answers - Quieter, more fuel efficient engines
- Inboard/Outboard engines
- 4stroke automotive engines adapted for marine use and mounted inside boat
- Attached through the transom to a drive unit ("outdrive") - turns a drive shaft that is attached to
the propeller at the other end
- Steering is controlled by the outdrive
Jet Drives (on inboard and outboard) correct answers use an engine to power a strong water
pump, which sucks up water and then forces the water out the back to thrust the boat forward.
- Mostly PWs
- Also Jet boats
- direction of jet steers the vessel
PWCs correct answers a small vessel that uses an inboard jet drive as its primary source of
propulsion and is designed to be operated by a person or persons sitting, standing, or kneeling on
the vessel rather than inside the vessel. The U.S. Coast Guard includes personal watercraft in the
group of inboard vessels less than 16 feet in length.
, Steering Control correct answers controlling the steering nozzle
Safety Lanyard correct answers short cord from ignition to operator
intake correct answers Opening in the hull that draws water toward the impeller
intake grate correct answers Screening cover over the intake, which prevents large debris from
entering
drive shaft correct answers The long stem connection between the motor and the impeller
impeller correct answers Device used to pump and force water under pressure through a steering
nozzle at the rear of the vessel
steering nozzle correct answers Device used for directing the stream of water to the left or right
at the stern of the PWC, which steers the PWC
Hull: Function correct answers carries the passengers and supports the rigging
Rigging correct answers includes many parts of the sailboat, such as the lines (sheets and
halyards), mainsail, headsail (jib), boom, and mast.
Keel/ Centerboard: Function correct answers attached to the bottom of the hull and keeps the
boat from sliding sideways through the water.
Rudder: Function correct answers used to steer the sailboat, turned by a tiller or steering wheel.
halyards correct answers Lines (ropes) used to raise and lower the sails
Sheets correct answers Lines (ropes) used to control the angle of the sails to the wind
What will happen when a boat is loaded beyond capacity correct answers will swamp or capsize
more easily and will be more difficult to control.
Where is the capacity plate correct answers near the operator's position or on the transom of the
boat. This plate indicates the maximum weight capacity and/or the maximum number of people
that the boat can carry safely in good weather.
What types of boats do not need capacity plates correct answers PWC and sailboat manufacturers
are not required to attach a capacity plate
Transom correct answers Vertical surface at the back of the hull
National Marine Manufactures Association (NMMA) - Capacity Plate laws correct answers on
all boats less than 26 feet
