ASA 114 EXAM NEWEST 2026 ACTUAL EXAM| ASA 114
CRUISING CATAMARAN REVIEW WITH COMPLETE 150
QUESTION
Section 1: Catamaran Design & Terminology (Questions 1-20)
Question 1
A tripod rig refers to the arrangement of a forestay and ___________ that
support the mast without the need for a _____________.
A) Backstay, shroud
B) Shroud, backstay
C) Spreader, forestay
D) Diamond stay, shroud
Answer: B) Shroud, backstay
Rationale: The tripod rig uses a forestay and two shrouds to support the mast,
eliminating the need for a backstay. This is common on catamarans because the
wide beam allows the shrouds to provide aft support.
Question 2
A forward projection of the bridgedeck designed to soften the impact of seas is
called a ____________.
A) Seagull striker
B) Nacelle
C) Dolphin striker
D) Deckhouse
Answer: B) Nacelle
Rationale: The nacelle is a forward projection of the bridgedeck that helps part
waves and reduce bridgedeck slamming.
Question 3
On catamarans without fixed keels, a _________ slides vertically through a trunk
,in each hull to provide lateral resistance.
A) Centerboard
B) Rudder
C) Daggerboard
D) Bilge board
Answer: C) Daggerboard
Rationale: Daggerboards slide vertically through trunks in each hull and are
lowered to increase lateral resistance when sailing to windward, reducing leeway.
Question 4
Located on the forward crossbeam, the ____________ provides reinforcement to
counter the effect of forestay tension.
A) Seagull striker
B) Nacelle
C) Bow sprit
D) Crossbeam brace
Answer: A) Seagull striker (also called dolphin striker)
Rationale: The seagull striker reinforces the forward crossbeam against the
upward pull of the forestay, preventing crossbeam bending or failure.
Question 5
A catamaran's _______________ is derived from the buoyancy in its two widely
separated hulls.
A) Ballast stability
B) Form stability
C) Secondary stability
D) Initial stability
Answer: B) Form stability
Rationale: Catamarans rely on form stability (wide beam) rather than ballast
stability (heavy keel) like monohulls. The wide hull separation provides resistance
to heeling.
,Question 6
The downward force of the catamaran's mast is supported by the
center___________ integrated into the bridgedeck structure.
A) Mast step
B) Crossbeam
C) Compression post
D) Bulkhead
Answer: A) Crossbeam
Rationale: The mast is stepped on the center crossbeam, which transfers the
downward force to the bridgedeck structure.
Question 7
The mainsheet traveler is often mounted over the _____________ crossbeam.
A) Forward
B) Aft
C) Center
D) Mast
Answer: B) Aft
Rationale: On catamarans, the mainsheet traveler is typically mounted on the aft
crossbeam, which provides a wide base for mainsail control.
Question 8
A typical cruising catamaran sail plan consists of a large _- mainsail and a roller-
furling jib.
A) Full-battened
B) Partial-battened
C) Loose-footed
D) Mast-furling
, Answer: A) Fully-battened
Rationale: Cruising catamarans typically use fully-battened mainsails for better
shape control, reduced flogging, and easier reefing.
Question 9
Name four systems or components that must be duplicated on a catamaran:
A) Engines, fuel tanks, water tanks, heads
B) Engines, running gear, electrical systems, bilge pumps
C) Sails, rigging, anchors, fenders
D) Navigational equipment, radios, GPS, radar
Answer: B) Engines, running gear, electrical systems, bilge pumps
Rationale: Catamarans have duplicated systems (one in each hull) including
engines, prop shafts/stern glands, cooling/exhaust, electrical systems, fuel
systems, and bilge pumps for redundancy and safety.
Question 10
An engine's ______________ battery is generally collocated with the engine and
charged by an ____________ on the same engine.
A) House, alternator
B) Start, alternator
C) Start, generator
D) House, generator
Answer: B) Start, alternator
Rationale: Each engine typically has its own start battery located nearby, charged
by that engine's alternator for independent operation.
Question 11
Take care to ensure that the levels in the ___________ and ___________ tanks
are balanced, especially if they are located away from the boat's centerline.
A) Fuel, holding
B) Freshwater, fuel
CRUISING CATAMARAN REVIEW WITH COMPLETE 150
QUESTION
Section 1: Catamaran Design & Terminology (Questions 1-20)
Question 1
A tripod rig refers to the arrangement of a forestay and ___________ that
support the mast without the need for a _____________.
A) Backstay, shroud
B) Shroud, backstay
C) Spreader, forestay
D) Diamond stay, shroud
Answer: B) Shroud, backstay
Rationale: The tripod rig uses a forestay and two shrouds to support the mast,
eliminating the need for a backstay. This is common on catamarans because the
wide beam allows the shrouds to provide aft support.
Question 2
A forward projection of the bridgedeck designed to soften the impact of seas is
called a ____________.
A) Seagull striker
B) Nacelle
C) Dolphin striker
D) Deckhouse
Answer: B) Nacelle
Rationale: The nacelle is a forward projection of the bridgedeck that helps part
waves and reduce bridgedeck slamming.
Question 3
On catamarans without fixed keels, a _________ slides vertically through a trunk
,in each hull to provide lateral resistance.
A) Centerboard
B) Rudder
C) Daggerboard
D) Bilge board
Answer: C) Daggerboard
Rationale: Daggerboards slide vertically through trunks in each hull and are
lowered to increase lateral resistance when sailing to windward, reducing leeway.
Question 4
Located on the forward crossbeam, the ____________ provides reinforcement to
counter the effect of forestay tension.
A) Seagull striker
B) Nacelle
C) Bow sprit
D) Crossbeam brace
Answer: A) Seagull striker (also called dolphin striker)
Rationale: The seagull striker reinforces the forward crossbeam against the
upward pull of the forestay, preventing crossbeam bending or failure.
Question 5
A catamaran's _______________ is derived from the buoyancy in its two widely
separated hulls.
A) Ballast stability
B) Form stability
C) Secondary stability
D) Initial stability
Answer: B) Form stability
Rationale: Catamarans rely on form stability (wide beam) rather than ballast
stability (heavy keel) like monohulls. The wide hull separation provides resistance
to heeling.
,Question 6
The downward force of the catamaran's mast is supported by the
center___________ integrated into the bridgedeck structure.
A) Mast step
B) Crossbeam
C) Compression post
D) Bulkhead
Answer: A) Crossbeam
Rationale: The mast is stepped on the center crossbeam, which transfers the
downward force to the bridgedeck structure.
Question 7
The mainsheet traveler is often mounted over the _____________ crossbeam.
A) Forward
B) Aft
C) Center
D) Mast
Answer: B) Aft
Rationale: On catamarans, the mainsheet traveler is typically mounted on the aft
crossbeam, which provides a wide base for mainsail control.
Question 8
A typical cruising catamaran sail plan consists of a large _- mainsail and a roller-
furling jib.
A) Full-battened
B) Partial-battened
C) Loose-footed
D) Mast-furling
, Answer: A) Fully-battened
Rationale: Cruising catamarans typically use fully-battened mainsails for better
shape control, reduced flogging, and easier reefing.
Question 9
Name four systems or components that must be duplicated on a catamaran:
A) Engines, fuel tanks, water tanks, heads
B) Engines, running gear, electrical systems, bilge pumps
C) Sails, rigging, anchors, fenders
D) Navigational equipment, radios, GPS, radar
Answer: B) Engines, running gear, electrical systems, bilge pumps
Rationale: Catamarans have duplicated systems (one in each hull) including
engines, prop shafts/stern glands, cooling/exhaust, electrical systems, fuel
systems, and bilge pumps for redundancy and safety.
Question 10
An engine's ______________ battery is generally collocated with the engine and
charged by an ____________ on the same engine.
A) House, alternator
B) Start, alternator
C) Start, generator
D) House, generator
Answer: B) Start, alternator
Rationale: Each engine typically has its own start battery located nearby, charged
by that engine's alternator for independent operation.
Question 11
Take care to ensure that the levels in the ___________ and ___________ tanks
are balanced, especially if they are located away from the boat's centerline.
A) Fuel, holding
B) Freshwater, fuel
