top of page

Docking and Boat Handling Quiz

1. The minimum number of lines you should use when you tie up to a dock is?

a. One.
b. Two.
c. Three. 
d. Four.
e. Five.

2. To keep your boat centered between four pilings, how many lines should you use?

a. One
b. Two
c. Three 
d. Four
e. Five
f.  Six
g. Seven
h. Eight
i.  Nine
j.  Ten

3. When tying up to a dock, the bow line should be led:

a. To a bow cleat on the dock abeam the bow cleat of the boat.

 

b. To a midships cleat on the dock.

 

 

c. To a stern cleat on the dock abeam the stern.

d. To a bow cleat on the dock forward of the cleat on

the bow of the boat.

e. None of the above

4. When tying up to a dock, the stern line should be led: 

a. To a bow cleat on the dock.

b. To a midships cleat on the dock.

c. To a stern cleat on the dock abeam the stern.

d. To a stern cleat on the dock aft of the stern.

e. None of the above

 

5. Spring lines prevent: 

a. The bow from rotating away from from the dock.

b  The stern from rotating away from the dock.

c. Fore and aft motion of the boat.

d. Fore and aft motion plus rotation away from the dock.

e. None of the above

6. The direction that a spring line runs from the boat to the dock determines if it is called an "aft" or "forward spring line."  

 

For example, if your boat is tied up to the dock with a bow line, stern line and midships aft spring line, the midships aft spring line runs:

a. From a midships cleat on the boat to a cleat on the dock forward of the bow.

 

b.  From a midships cleat on the boat to a cleat on the dock abeam midships of the boat.

c. From a midships cleat on the boat aft to a cleat on the dock.

d. None of the above.

 

 

7. You are driving a powerboat with an inboard engine and a right-hand propeller. There is no wind. You shift to idle-reverse. The boat will:

a. Not slow down because a right-hand propeller does not generate reverse thrust.

b.  Rapidly slow down because a right-hand propeller generates considerable reverse thrust. 

c. Slow down and rotate the stern to starboard.

d. Slow down and rotate the stern to port.

e. Slow down but not have a tendency to turn to port or starboard.

8. You are driving a powerboat with an inboard engine and a right-hand propeller. There is no wind. You have a choice of approaching a dock on your port side or starboard side.

a. You should choose the port side because when you shift to reverse to slow your approach, prop walk will cause the stern to turn away from the dock. 

 

b. You should choose the port side because when you shift to reverse to slow your approach, prop walk will have no effect on turning the stern.

 

c. You should choose the port side because when you shift to reverse to slow your approach, prop walk will turn the stern toward the dock.

 

d. You should choose the starboard side because when you shift to reverse to slow your approach, prop walk will turn the stern toward the dock. 

9. You have been selected to design a powerboat with an inboard engine and a right-hand propeller.  You should design the boat so the propeller is:

a. Directly behind the rudder so it does not interfere with the propeller prop wash. 

 

b. Behind the rudder but on the starboard side to compensate for the tendency of a right-hand propeller to turn the stern to port.

c. Behind the rudder but on the port side to compensate for the tendency of a right-hand propeller to turn the stern to starboard.

d. In front of the rudder  

10. You are driving a powerboat at high speed.  Suddenly you see a jet ski approaching on your port side.  He does not give way. To avoid a collision you decide to make an emergency stop. You should:

a. Move the throttle to neutral, count to three, shift to reverse and apply full power to slow the boat. 

 

b. Move the throttle to neutral, count to three, shift to reverse, apply full power to slow the boat and turn the wheel to starboard. 

 

c. Move the throttle to neutral and simultaneously turn the wheel 90 degrees to port.

d. Move the throttle to neutral and simultaneously turn the wheel 45 degrees to port.

e. Move the throttle to neutral and simultaneously turn the wheel 90 degrees to starboard.  

bottom of page