ASA 103 QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
ANSWERS 2025-2026
Stemhead Fitting CORRECT ANSWER A stainless-steel fitting on the bow of a boat to
which the forestay and jib tack are attached, as well as the roller fairlead for the anchor rode.
Turnbuckle CORRECT ANSWER A mechanical fitting attached to the lower ends of stays,
which connects them to the chainplate, allowing for the standing rigging to be adjusted
(tightened.)
Chainplate CORRECT ANSWER Metal plate bolted to the hull of a boat to which standing
rigging is attached.
Hatch CORRECT ANSWER A covered opening in the deck.
Transom CORRECT ANSWER The flat surface forming the stern of a vessel.
Self-bailing cockpit CORRECT ANSWER A cockpit that is high enough above the waterline
that any water that gets inside will drain overboard by gravity, through scuppers (drains)
located in the aft corner of the cockpit well.
Compass CORRECT ANSWER An instrument that indicates direction relative to Earth's
magnetic field.
Binnacle CORRECT ANSWER The pedestal on which the boat's main compass is mounted.
Cockpit locker CORRECT ANSWER Storage compartment in the cockpit seating area.
, Emergency tiller CORRECT ANSWER On boats with wheel steering, a tiller that can be
fitted to the top of the rudder stock so the boat could be steered in the event the wheel-
steering mechanism fails.
Companionway CORRECT ANSWER A staircase leading from a deck to the cabins or
area below.
Saloon CORRECT ANSWER The area of a boat that serves as the living room, dining
room, and possibly extra sleeping quarters.
Galley CORRECT ANSWER The kitchen on a boat.
V- berth CORRECT ANSWER The forward cabin of a boat that takes the shape of the bow.
Auxiliary engine CORRECT ANSWER The source of auxiliary propulsion on a sailboat.
Used also to produce electricity needed to charge the house batteries.
Bilge CORRECT ANSWER The lowest interior region of the hull.
Bilge pump CORRECT ANSWER A pump used to remove water from the bilge. Usually
there is an automatic (electric) bilge pump and a manual bilge pump on every boat.
Through-hull fitting CORRECT ANSWER A fitting in the hull through which water can be
drawn in or discarded.
Seacock CORRECT ANSWER A marine valve which opens and closes a hole through the hull
for saltwater needed on board or for discharge.
ANSWERS 2025-2026
Stemhead Fitting CORRECT ANSWER A stainless-steel fitting on the bow of a boat to
which the forestay and jib tack are attached, as well as the roller fairlead for the anchor rode.
Turnbuckle CORRECT ANSWER A mechanical fitting attached to the lower ends of stays,
which connects them to the chainplate, allowing for the standing rigging to be adjusted
(tightened.)
Chainplate CORRECT ANSWER Metal plate bolted to the hull of a boat to which standing
rigging is attached.
Hatch CORRECT ANSWER A covered opening in the deck.
Transom CORRECT ANSWER The flat surface forming the stern of a vessel.
Self-bailing cockpit CORRECT ANSWER A cockpit that is high enough above the waterline
that any water that gets inside will drain overboard by gravity, through scuppers (drains)
located in the aft corner of the cockpit well.
Compass CORRECT ANSWER An instrument that indicates direction relative to Earth's
magnetic field.
Binnacle CORRECT ANSWER The pedestal on which the boat's main compass is mounted.
Cockpit locker CORRECT ANSWER Storage compartment in the cockpit seating area.
, Emergency tiller CORRECT ANSWER On boats with wheel steering, a tiller that can be
fitted to the top of the rudder stock so the boat could be steered in the event the wheel-
steering mechanism fails.
Companionway CORRECT ANSWER A staircase leading from a deck to the cabins or
area below.
Saloon CORRECT ANSWER The area of a boat that serves as the living room, dining
room, and possibly extra sleeping quarters.
Galley CORRECT ANSWER The kitchen on a boat.
V- berth CORRECT ANSWER The forward cabin of a boat that takes the shape of the bow.
Auxiliary engine CORRECT ANSWER The source of auxiliary propulsion on a sailboat.
Used also to produce electricity needed to charge the house batteries.
Bilge CORRECT ANSWER The lowest interior region of the hull.
Bilge pump CORRECT ANSWER A pump used to remove water from the bilge. Usually
there is an automatic (electric) bilge pump and a manual bilge pump on every boat.
Through-hull fitting CORRECT ANSWER A fitting in the hull through which water can be
drawn in or discarded.
Seacock CORRECT ANSWER A marine valve which opens and closes a hole through the hull
for saltwater needed on board or for discharge.
