ASA 101 EXAM PREP 2026 STUDY GUIDE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS VERIFIED
●● Deck.
Answer: Encloses the top of the hull and is generally horizontal
●● Transom.
Answer: Transverse, vertical section that makes up the stern of the boat,
as high as the hull or as low as the waterline
●● Keel.
Answer: Heavy, fixed appendage on the bottom of the hull that not only
provides the sideways resistance, but also the vertical stability needed to
counter the force of the wind on the sails that would otherwise push the
boat sideways
●● Mast.
Answer: Vertical metal or wooden pole that supports its primary sail, the
mainsail
●● Boom.
,Answer: Horizontal pole at the bottom of the mainsail, it swings from
one side of the boat to the other when the boat is turning through the
wind
●● Gooseneck.
Answer: Swivel connection on a sailboat by which the boom attaches to
the mast
●● Bow.
Answer: Forward, front of the vessel
●● Stern.
Answer: Aft, back of the vessel
●● Helm/Tiller.
Answer: Attached to the rudder, it causes the boat to turn in the opposite
dirction
●● Rudder.
Answer: A movable, fin-shaped part attached to the hull near the stern
●● Cockpit.
, Answer: The area around and just in front of the tiller, where the crew
performs most boat-handling operations
●● Cabin.
Answer: A compartment below the deck
●● Standing Rigging.
Answer: Lines, wires, or rods which are more or less fixed in position
while the boat is under sail, in contrast to running rigging, which move
and change fairly often
●● Shroud.
Answer: Wire cables that help support the mast on either side, they are
sturdy to help when boarding and walking around the boat
●● Spreader.
Answer: Horizontal, prevents shrouds from hitting the mast
●● Chainplate.
Answer: Fasten a shroud or stay to the hull
●● Headstay/Forestay.
Answer: Ensures the mast won't fall aft
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS VERIFIED
●● Deck.
Answer: Encloses the top of the hull and is generally horizontal
●● Transom.
Answer: Transverse, vertical section that makes up the stern of the boat,
as high as the hull or as low as the waterline
●● Keel.
Answer: Heavy, fixed appendage on the bottom of the hull that not only
provides the sideways resistance, but also the vertical stability needed to
counter the force of the wind on the sails that would otherwise push the
boat sideways
●● Mast.
Answer: Vertical metal or wooden pole that supports its primary sail, the
mainsail
●● Boom.
,Answer: Horizontal pole at the bottom of the mainsail, it swings from
one side of the boat to the other when the boat is turning through the
wind
●● Gooseneck.
Answer: Swivel connection on a sailboat by which the boom attaches to
the mast
●● Bow.
Answer: Forward, front of the vessel
●● Stern.
Answer: Aft, back of the vessel
●● Helm/Tiller.
Answer: Attached to the rudder, it causes the boat to turn in the opposite
dirction
●● Rudder.
Answer: A movable, fin-shaped part attached to the hull near the stern
●● Cockpit.
, Answer: The area around and just in front of the tiller, where the crew
performs most boat-handling operations
●● Cabin.
Answer: A compartment below the deck
●● Standing Rigging.
Answer: Lines, wires, or rods which are more or less fixed in position
while the boat is under sail, in contrast to running rigging, which move
and change fairly often
●● Shroud.
Answer: Wire cables that help support the mast on either side, they are
sturdy to help when boarding and walking around the boat
●● Spreader.
Answer: Horizontal, prevents shrouds from hitting the mast
●● Chainplate.
Answer: Fasten a shroud or stay to the hull
●● Headstay/Forestay.
Answer: Ensures the mast won't fall aft
