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US Sailing - Basic Cruising Exam 100%
Correct!! 2026/2027.
Exam Instructions: This exam tests the knowledge required to safely skipper an auxiliary-
powered cruising sailboat of approximately 30 feet in length during daylight hours, in moderate
wind and sea conditions, in familiar waters. Select the best answer for each question.
DOMAIN 1: VESSEL HANDLING & SEAMANSHIP (12 Questions)
Sub-Topic: Docking & Departing Under Power (4 questions)
Question 1 (Multiple-Choice)
You are approaching a slip in a 30-foot auxiliary sailboat with a right-hand (clockwise-rotating)
propeller. The wind is blowing from your port beam at 10 knots. As you begin to reverse into the
slip, what effect will prop walk have on your stern?
A) The stern will walk to port, pushing the boat toward the windward dock
B) The stern will walk to starboard, pushing the boat away from the windward dock
C) Prop walk will have no effect in reverse at low RPM
D) The bow will swing to port while the stern remains stationary
[CORRECT: B]
Rationale: A right-hand (clockwise-rotating) propeller causes the stern to walk to starboard
when in reverse. This is because the propeller blades bite more aggressively on the downstroke,
pushing the stern laterally. In this scenario, with wind from the port beam, the stern walking to
starboard will push the boat away from the windward (port side) dock. The skipper must
anticipate this by applying appropriate rudder angle and spring line techniques to counteract
the prop walk and wind effects. US Sailing teaches that understanding prop walk is essential for
controlled docking maneuvers in confined spaces.
Question 2 (Multiple-Choice)
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You are departing a fuel dock with a 15-knot wind blowing onto the dock and a 1-knot current
running parallel to the dock in the same direction you intend to travel. Your boat is 30 feet with
a right-hand propeller. What is the safest departure sequence?
A) Cast off all lines, engage forward gear, and steer away from the dock using engine power
B) Cast off bow and stern lines, leave a spring line from the stern cleat to a mid-dock cleat, use
reverse to pivot the bow outward, then cast off the spring and back clear
C) Cast off all lines, engage reverse, and allow the wind to blow the bow off the dock
D) Cast off the bow line first, then use forward gear to pull the stern away from the dock
[CORRECT: B]
Rationale: When departing a dock with wind blowing on and current running with your
intended direction, the safest method is to use a stern spring line. Leaving a spring line from the
stern cleat to a mid-dock cleat and engaging reverse (with a right-hand propeller, stern walks to
starboard) will pivot the bow outward away from the dock. Once the bow is sufficiently off the
dock, cast off the spring and back clear. This controlled maneuver prevents the wind from
pinning the boat against the dock and provides positive control during departure. US Sailing
emphasizes spring line techniques as fundamental to safe docking under power.
Question 3 (Multiple-Choice)
You are docking a 30-foot sailboat in a 20-knot crosswind blowing from starboard to port. The
current is negligible. Which approach and technique will give you the best control?
A) Approach at a steep angle (45°) with high speed to maintain steerage, then turn sharply into
the slip
B) Approach parallel to the dock at minimum steerage speed, use a bow spring line to stop the
boat, and allow the wind to push you gently alongside
C) Approach at a shallow angle (10-15°), carry slightly more speed than normal, and have a crew
member ready with a bow line to secure quickly
D) Approach directly into the wind, then drift sideways into the slip using only the engine in
neutral
[CORRECT: C]
, 3
Rationale: In a strong crosswind, approaching at a shallow angle (10-15°) with slightly more
speed than normal provides better steerage and control. The increased speed maintains water
flow over the rudder, giving you authority to counteract the wind's push. Having a crew member
ready with a bow line to secure quickly is critical because once the bow is secured, the wind will
push the stern in, allowing controlled docking. A steep angle risks loss of control, while a parallel
approach in a strong crosswind may not provide enough rudder authority. US Sailing teaches
that docking in wind requires anticipating the wind's effect and maintaining positive control
through speed and angle management.
Question 4 (True/False)
When backing a sailboat with a left-hand (counter-clockwise) propeller into a slip with the wind
on the starboard beam, the skipper should expect the stern to walk to port, which will help
push the boat toward the leeward dock if the slip is on the starboard side.
[CORRECT: TRUE]
Rationale: A left-hand (counter-clockwise) propeller causes the stern to walk to port when in
reverse. With the wind on the starboard beam, the leeward side is to port. Therefore, the stern
walking to port will indeed push the boat toward the leeward (port side) dock. This effect can be
used advantageously if the target slip is on the port side, but the skipper must be prepared to
counteract it with rudder and spring lines if the slip is on the starboard side. Understanding how
to use or counteract prop walk in combination with wind effects is a core US Sailing Basic
Cruising competency.
Sub-Topic: Man Overboard Recovery (3 questions)
Question 5 (Multiple-Choice)
While sailing on a close reach in 12 knots of wind, a crew member falls overboard on the
leeward side. You are the skipper. What is the FIRST action you should take?
A) Immediately execute a Quick-Stop maneuver by heading up into the wind and tacking
B) Deploy the Lifesling and begin a figure-8 recovery pattern
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C) Throw a flotation device toward the person, assign a spotter, and then maneuver the boat
D) Start the engine and motor directly back to the person
[CORRECT: C]
Rationale: The immediate priority in any man overboard situation is to keep the person in the
water visible and afloat. The FIRST action is to throw a flotation device (PFD, horseshoe buoy, or
Lifesling) toward the person, assign a dedicated spotter to keep eyes on the victim at all times,
and only then maneuver the boat for recovery. While the Quick-Stop method is the preferred
recovery technique for US Sailing Basic Cruising, the initial seconds are critical for marking the
position and ensuring the person remains buoyant. The spotter prevents losing sight of the
victim, which is the most common cause of failed recoveries.
Question 6 (Multiple-Choice)
You are sailing on a beam reach when a crew member falls overboard. You choose to execute
the Quick-Stop method. What is the correct sequence of maneuvers?
A) Head up immediately, tack the boat, circle back downwind of the person, and approach
under power or sail to leeward
B) Fall off to a broad reach, jibe, and circle back upwind of the person
C) Heave-to immediately, then drift down to the person
D) Head downwind, gybe, and approach the person from windward under power
[CORRECT: A]
Rationale: The Quick-Stop method is the preferred US Sailing Basic Cruising technique for man
overboard recovery. The correct sequence is: (1) Immediately head up into the wind, (2) Tack
the boat, (3) Circle back downwind of the person, and (4) Approach the person from downwind
(leeward) under power or sail, stopping the boat alongside with the person on the leeward side.
This method minimizes the distance the boat travels away from the victim and allows the boat
to drift down to the person in a controlled manner. Approaching from leeward prevents the
boat from being blown onto the person by the wind.
Question 7 (True/False)
US Sailing - Basic Cruising Exam 100%
Correct!! 2026/2027.
Exam Instructions: This exam tests the knowledge required to safely skipper an auxiliary-
powered cruising sailboat of approximately 30 feet in length during daylight hours, in moderate
wind and sea conditions, in familiar waters. Select the best answer for each question.
DOMAIN 1: VESSEL HANDLING & SEAMANSHIP (12 Questions)
Sub-Topic: Docking & Departing Under Power (4 questions)
Question 1 (Multiple-Choice)
You are approaching a slip in a 30-foot auxiliary sailboat with a right-hand (clockwise-rotating)
propeller. The wind is blowing from your port beam at 10 knots. As you begin to reverse into the
slip, what effect will prop walk have on your stern?
A) The stern will walk to port, pushing the boat toward the windward dock
B) The stern will walk to starboard, pushing the boat away from the windward dock
C) Prop walk will have no effect in reverse at low RPM
D) The bow will swing to port while the stern remains stationary
[CORRECT: B]
Rationale: A right-hand (clockwise-rotating) propeller causes the stern to walk to starboard
when in reverse. This is because the propeller blades bite more aggressively on the downstroke,
pushing the stern laterally. In this scenario, with wind from the port beam, the stern walking to
starboard will push the boat away from the windward (port side) dock. The skipper must
anticipate this by applying appropriate rudder angle and spring line techniques to counteract
the prop walk and wind effects. US Sailing teaches that understanding prop walk is essential for
controlled docking maneuvers in confined spaces.
Question 2 (Multiple-Choice)
, 2
You are departing a fuel dock with a 15-knot wind blowing onto the dock and a 1-knot current
running parallel to the dock in the same direction you intend to travel. Your boat is 30 feet with
a right-hand propeller. What is the safest departure sequence?
A) Cast off all lines, engage forward gear, and steer away from the dock using engine power
B) Cast off bow and stern lines, leave a spring line from the stern cleat to a mid-dock cleat, use
reverse to pivot the bow outward, then cast off the spring and back clear
C) Cast off all lines, engage reverse, and allow the wind to blow the bow off the dock
D) Cast off the bow line first, then use forward gear to pull the stern away from the dock
[CORRECT: B]
Rationale: When departing a dock with wind blowing on and current running with your
intended direction, the safest method is to use a stern spring line. Leaving a spring line from the
stern cleat to a mid-dock cleat and engaging reverse (with a right-hand propeller, stern walks to
starboard) will pivot the bow outward away from the dock. Once the bow is sufficiently off the
dock, cast off the spring and back clear. This controlled maneuver prevents the wind from
pinning the boat against the dock and provides positive control during departure. US Sailing
emphasizes spring line techniques as fundamental to safe docking under power.
Question 3 (Multiple-Choice)
You are docking a 30-foot sailboat in a 20-knot crosswind blowing from starboard to port. The
current is negligible. Which approach and technique will give you the best control?
A) Approach at a steep angle (45°) with high speed to maintain steerage, then turn sharply into
the slip
B) Approach parallel to the dock at minimum steerage speed, use a bow spring line to stop the
boat, and allow the wind to push you gently alongside
C) Approach at a shallow angle (10-15°), carry slightly more speed than normal, and have a crew
member ready with a bow line to secure quickly
D) Approach directly into the wind, then drift sideways into the slip using only the engine in
neutral
[CORRECT: C]
, 3
Rationale: In a strong crosswind, approaching at a shallow angle (10-15°) with slightly more
speed than normal provides better steerage and control. The increased speed maintains water
flow over the rudder, giving you authority to counteract the wind's push. Having a crew member
ready with a bow line to secure quickly is critical because once the bow is secured, the wind will
push the stern in, allowing controlled docking. A steep angle risks loss of control, while a parallel
approach in a strong crosswind may not provide enough rudder authority. US Sailing teaches
that docking in wind requires anticipating the wind's effect and maintaining positive control
through speed and angle management.
Question 4 (True/False)
When backing a sailboat with a left-hand (counter-clockwise) propeller into a slip with the wind
on the starboard beam, the skipper should expect the stern to walk to port, which will help
push the boat toward the leeward dock if the slip is on the starboard side.
[CORRECT: TRUE]
Rationale: A left-hand (counter-clockwise) propeller causes the stern to walk to port when in
reverse. With the wind on the starboard beam, the leeward side is to port. Therefore, the stern
walking to port will indeed push the boat toward the leeward (port side) dock. This effect can be
used advantageously if the target slip is on the port side, but the skipper must be prepared to
counteract it with rudder and spring lines if the slip is on the starboard side. Understanding how
to use or counteract prop walk in combination with wind effects is a core US Sailing Basic
Cruising competency.
Sub-Topic: Man Overboard Recovery (3 questions)
Question 5 (Multiple-Choice)
While sailing on a close reach in 12 knots of wind, a crew member falls overboard on the
leeward side. You are the skipper. What is the FIRST action you should take?
A) Immediately execute a Quick-Stop maneuver by heading up into the wind and tacking
B) Deploy the Lifesling and begin a figure-8 recovery pattern
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C) Throw a flotation device toward the person, assign a spotter, and then maneuver the boat
D) Start the engine and motor directly back to the person
[CORRECT: C]
Rationale: The immediate priority in any man overboard situation is to keep the person in the
water visible and afloat. The FIRST action is to throw a flotation device (PFD, horseshoe buoy, or
Lifesling) toward the person, assign a dedicated spotter to keep eyes on the victim at all times,
and only then maneuver the boat for recovery. While the Quick-Stop method is the preferred
recovery technique for US Sailing Basic Cruising, the initial seconds are critical for marking the
position and ensuring the person remains buoyant. The spotter prevents losing sight of the
victim, which is the most common cause of failed recoveries.
Question 6 (Multiple-Choice)
You are sailing on a beam reach when a crew member falls overboard. You choose to execute
the Quick-Stop method. What is the correct sequence of maneuvers?
A) Head up immediately, tack the boat, circle back downwind of the person, and approach
under power or sail to leeward
B) Fall off to a broad reach, jibe, and circle back upwind of the person
C) Heave-to immediately, then drift down to the person
D) Head downwind, gybe, and approach the person from windward under power
[CORRECT: A]
Rationale: The Quick-Stop method is the preferred US Sailing Basic Cruising technique for man
overboard recovery. The correct sequence is: (1) Immediately head up into the wind, (2) Tack
the boat, (3) Circle back downwind of the person, and (4) Approach the person from downwind
(leeward) under power or sail, stopping the boat alongside with the person on the leeward side.
This method minimizes the distance the boat travels away from the victim and allows the boat
to drift down to the person in a controlled manner. Approaching from leeward prevents the
boat from being blown onto the person by the wind.
Question 7 (True/False)
