age 1 of 47
US Sailing Basic Keelboat FINAL EXAM STUDY GUIDE
2025/2026 COMPLETE QUESTIONS BANK AND
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES ||
100% GUARANTEED PASS <RECENT VERSION>
spreader ......ANSWER........a support strut extending
athwartships from the mast used to support the mast and guide
the shrouds from the top of the mast to the chainplates.
turnbuckle ......ANSWER........a mechanical fitting attached to the
lower ends of the stays, allowing for the standing rigging to be
adjusted.
winch ......ANSWER........a deck mounted drum with a handle
offering mechanical advantage used to trim sheets. May also be
mounted on the mast to assist in raising sails.
,age 2 of 47
whisker pole ......ANSWER........a pole, temporarily mounted
between the mast and clew of the jib, used to hold the jib out
and keep it full when sailing downwind.
yawl ......ANSWER........a two-masted boat with its mizzen (after)
mast shorter than its main mast and located at the rudder post.
Newspapers, internet, VHF radio and NOA broadcasts
......ANSWER........how sailor keep informed of the weather
conditions.
spring line ......ANSWER........a dockline running forward or aft
from the boat to the dock to keep the boat from moving
forward or aft.
Back ......ANSWER........to stop or to propel boat backward by
holding the clew of a sail out to windward.
,age 3 of 47
apparent wind ......ANSWER........The wind aboard a moving
boat
aground ......ANSWER........a boat whose keel is touching the
bottom
balance ......ANSWER........the capability of the boat to sail
straight without changing tiller positions
bail ......ANSWER........to empty a boat of water
Athwartships ......ANSWER........across the boat from side to side
batten ......ANSWER........a thin slat that slides into a pocket in the
leech of a sail, helping it hold its shape.
beam ......ANSWER........the width of a boat at its widest point
, age 4 of 47
beam reach ......ANSWER........(point of sail) sailing
approximately 90 degrees to the wind
bearing ......ANSWER........the direction from one object to
another expressed in compass degrees
beating ......ANSWER........a course sailed upwind
below ......ANSWER........the area of a boat beneath the deck
bear away ......ANSWER........to fall off, head away from the
wind
bend ......ANSWER........to attach a sail to a spar or a hearsay, or
attach a line to a sail.
bight ......ANSWER........a loop in a line
US Sailing Basic Keelboat FINAL EXAM STUDY GUIDE
2025/2026 COMPLETE QUESTIONS BANK AND
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES ||
100% GUARANTEED PASS <RECENT VERSION>
spreader ......ANSWER........a support strut extending
athwartships from the mast used to support the mast and guide
the shrouds from the top of the mast to the chainplates.
turnbuckle ......ANSWER........a mechanical fitting attached to the
lower ends of the stays, allowing for the standing rigging to be
adjusted.
winch ......ANSWER........a deck mounted drum with a handle
offering mechanical advantage used to trim sheets. May also be
mounted on the mast to assist in raising sails.
,age 2 of 47
whisker pole ......ANSWER........a pole, temporarily mounted
between the mast and clew of the jib, used to hold the jib out
and keep it full when sailing downwind.
yawl ......ANSWER........a two-masted boat with its mizzen (after)
mast shorter than its main mast and located at the rudder post.
Newspapers, internet, VHF radio and NOA broadcasts
......ANSWER........how sailor keep informed of the weather
conditions.
spring line ......ANSWER........a dockline running forward or aft
from the boat to the dock to keep the boat from moving
forward or aft.
Back ......ANSWER........to stop or to propel boat backward by
holding the clew of a sail out to windward.
,age 3 of 47
apparent wind ......ANSWER........The wind aboard a moving
boat
aground ......ANSWER........a boat whose keel is touching the
bottom
balance ......ANSWER........the capability of the boat to sail
straight without changing tiller positions
bail ......ANSWER........to empty a boat of water
Athwartships ......ANSWER........across the boat from side to side
batten ......ANSWER........a thin slat that slides into a pocket in the
leech of a sail, helping it hold its shape.
beam ......ANSWER........the width of a boat at its widest point
, age 4 of 47
beam reach ......ANSWER........(point of sail) sailing
approximately 90 degrees to the wind
bearing ......ANSWER........the direction from one object to
another expressed in compass degrees
beating ......ANSWER........a course sailed upwind
below ......ANSWER........the area of a boat beneath the deck
bear away ......ANSWER........to fall off, head away from the
wind
bend ......ANSWER........to attach a sail to a spar or a hearsay, or
attach a line to a sail.
bight ......ANSWER........a loop in a line
