33 sailing quiz questions with answers, from port and starboard to halyards, heaving to and right of way. Reveal each answer, or read the full key at the end.
Every question offers three options and hides the correct one behind a button, so you can work through the boat without scrolling past the answers. The key below the scoring table collects the sailing trivia questions and answers in order, which makes the set easy to read out as a nautical trivia round. Most of the sailing quiz questions are about vocabulary and rules, so the questions about sailing suit both dinghy sailors and cruising crews.
1. What does the term “port” refer to when sailing?
- A) The left side of the boat
- B) The right side of the boat
- C) The front of the boat
2. What is the name of the device used to measure wind speed?
- A) Anemometer
- B) Barometer
- C) Pitot tube
3. What is another term for the rear of the boat?
- A) Stern
- B) Bow
- C) Centerboard
4. What is the largest sail on a sloop-rigged sailboat?
- A) Mainsail
- B) Jib
- C) Spinnaker
5. What is a sheet used for on a sailboat?
- A) Controlling the sails
- B) Covering the cockpit
- C) Climbing the mast
6. What does "tacking" mean when sailing?
- A) Turning the stern through the wind so the boom swings across
- B) Turning the bow through the wind so the sails fill on the other side
- C) Lowering the sails to slow the boat down
7. Who won the America’s Cup in 2017?
- A) Oracle Team USA
- B) Emirates Team New Zealand
- C) Land Rover BAR
8. What is the purpose of a sail’s telltales?
- A) Measure wind speed
- B) Indicate wind direction
- C) Provide help in trimming the sails
9. What is a “foulie” in sailing?
- A) A knot that has come untied
- B) Waterproof clothing
- C) A type of anchor
10. Under the racing rules of sailing, which boat has right of way when two sailboats meet on opposite tacks?
- A) The boat on port tack
- B) The boat on starboard tack
- C) The faster of the two boats
11. Which of the following knots is commonly used to form a loop in a line?
- A) Bowline
- B) Figure eight
- C) Clove hitch
12. In sailing terminology, what is a “halyard”?
- A) A line used to hoist sails
- B) A type of anchor
- C) A section of the mast
13. What is the name of the sail on the front of a sailboat?
- A) Headsail
- B) Mainsail
- C) Spinnaker
14. What is the term for the technique used to avoid being pushed by the wind when mooring a sailboat?
- A) Windward approach
- B) Leeward approach
- C) Sheet-in technique
15. Which line is used to tension the foot of a mainsail along the boom?
- A) The halyard
- B) The sheet
- C) The outhaul
16. What is the term for the horizontal pole that is attached to the bottom of a sail?
- A) Boom
- B) Gaff
- C) Spreader
17. What is the name of the line used to control the angle of the jib sail in relation to the wind?
- A) Jib sheet
- B) Jib halyard
- C) Jib outhaul
18. What does “heeling” refer to when it comes to sailing?
- A) Leaning of a boat due to wind
- B) Turning sharply to avoid collision
- C) Adjusting sail tension for optimal performance
19. What is the term for the back half of a boat?
- A) Aft
- B) Fore
- C) Amidships
20. What is the name of the line that controls the angle of the boom to the wind?
- A) Mainsheet
- B) Boom vang
- C) Outhaul
21. Which of the following is the sailing term for the direction from which the wind is blowing?
- A) Windward
- B) Leeward
- C) Downwind
22. What is the area where the hull and deck of the boat intersect called?
- A) Gunwale
- B) Keel
- C) Bulkhead
23. What is the “dinghy” in the sailing world?
- A) A small sailboat
- B) A type of instrument used for navigation
- C) A type of knot used for securing lines
24. What is the term for a sailboat moving in the direction of the wind with sails on either side of the boat?
- A) Tacking
- B) Jibing
- C) Running
25. What is the purpose of the “keel” on a sailboat?
- A) To provide stability and prevent the boat from tipping over
- B) To support the mast
- C) To help the boat to turn more easily
26. What is the term for the right-hand side of a boat when facing the bow?
- A) Port
- B) Starboard
- C) Abeam
27. What is the “clew” of a sail?
- A) The lower corner where the sail is attached to the boom
- B) The upper corner where the sail is attached to the mast
- C) The sail’s leading edge
28. What is another name for a sailboat with two hulls?
- A) Catamaran
- B) Ketch
- C) Sloop
29. What is the term for the cable or line used to hold up a mast?
- A) Shroud
- B) Forestay
- C) Halyard
30. What is the process of bringing a sailboat to a complete stop in the water using the sails and rudder called?
- A) Heaving-to
- B) Feathering
- C) Tacking
31. What is the term for the triangular sail set between the foremast and the mainmast on a sailing vessel?
- A) Staysail
- B) Genoa
- C) Mizzen
32. What is the main purpose of the “centerboard” on a sailboat?
- A) To provide extra stability
- B) To assist in turning the boat
- C) To reduce lateral movement through the water when sailing upwind
33. What is a crew member doing when they lean out over the water on the windward side to balance the boat?
- A) Hiking out
- B) Heaving to
- C) Reefing
Results
| # of Correct Answers | Percentage Range | Label | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0- | 0-49% | DeckhandArmchair Athlete | You've got some learning to do, but don't worry, there's always the next game! |
| - | 50-64% | First MateRookie Runner | Not bad! Keep practicing, and you'll be a sports trivia champ in no time. |
| - | 65-79% | NavigatorMidfield Maestro | Impressive! You're getting closer to the top, keep up the good work. |
| - | 80-94% | CaptainAll-Star Striker | Wow, you really know your sports trivia! You're a force to be reckoned with. |
| -33 | 95-100% | Sailing MasterLegendary Champion | Unbelievable! You're a true sports trivia master. Your knowledge knows no bounds! |
Sailing Quiz Answers: The Full Answer Key
Every question in this sailing quiz with its correct answer, in the order the questions appear above. Check your score against the table, or use the list as a set of sailing trivia questions and answers for a quiz night of your own.
| # | Question | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | What does the term "port" refer to when sailing? | A) The left side of the boat |
| 2 | What is the name of the device used to measure wind speed? | A) Anemometer |
| 3 | What is another term for the rear of the boat? | A) Stern |
| 4 | What is the largest sail on a sloop-rigged sailboat? | A) Mainsail |
| 5 | What is a sheet used for on a sailboat? | A) Controlling the sails |
| 6 | What does "tacking" mean when sailing? | B) Turning the bow through the wind so the sails fill on the other side |
| 7 | Who won the America's Cup in 2017? | B) Emirates Team New Zealand |
| 8 | What is the purpose of a sail's telltales? | C) Provide help in trimming the sails |
| 9 | What is a "foulie" in sailing? | B) Waterproof clothing |
| 10 | Under the racing rules of sailing, which boat has right of way when two sailboats meet on opposite tacks? | B) The boat on starboard tack |
| 11 | Which of the following knots is commonly used to form a loop in a line? | A) Bowline |
| 12 | In sailing terminology, what is a "halyard"? | A) A line used to hoist sails |
| 13 | What is the name of the sail on the front of a sailboat? | A) Headsail |
| 14 | What is the term for the technique used to avoid being pushed by the wind when mooring a sailboat? | A) Windward approach |
| 15 | Which line is used to tension the foot of a mainsail along the boom? | C) The outhaul |
| 16 | What is the term for the horizontal pole that is attached to the bottom of a sail? | A) Boom |
| 17 | What is the name of the line used to control the angle of the jib sail in relation to the wind? | A) Jib sheet |
| 18 | What does "heeling" refer to when it comes to sailing? | A) Leaning of a boat due to wind |
| 19 | What is the term for the back half of a boat? | A) Aft |
| 20 | What is the name of the line that controls the angle of the boom to the wind? | A) Mainsheet |
| 21 | Which of the following is the sailing term for the direction from which the wind is blowing? | A) Windward |
| 22 | What is the area where the hull and deck of the boat intersect called? | A) Gunwale |
| 23 | What is the "dinghy" in the sailing world? | A) A small sailboat |
| 24 | What is the term for a sailboat moving in the direction of the wind with sails on either side of the boat? | C) Running |
| 25 | What is the purpose of the "keel" on a sailboat? | A) To provide stability and prevent the boat from tipping over |
| 26 | What is the term for the right-hand side of a boat when facing the bow? | B) Starboard |
| 27 | What is the "clew" of a sail? | A) The lower corner where the sail is attached to the boom |
| 28 | What is another name for a sailboat with two hulls? | A) Catamaran |
| 29 | What is the term for the cable or line used to hold up a mast? | A) Shroud |
| 30 | What is the process of bringing a sailboat to a complete stop in the water using the sails and rudder called? | A) Heaving-to |
| 31 | What is the term for the triangular sail set between the foremast and the mainmast on a sailing vessel? | A) Staysail |
| 32 | What is the main purpose of the "centerboard" on a sailboat? | C) To reduce lateral movement through the water when sailing upwind |
| 33 | What is a crew member doing when they lean out over the water on the windward side to balance the boat? | A) Hiking out |
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FAQ
How many questions are in this sailing quiz?
There are 33 questions. Each one has three options, and the correct answer is hidden behind the reveal button under the question.
Where are the sailing quiz questions and answers listed together?
The answer key below the scoring table repeats all 33 questions with their correct answers in order, so you can check a full round in one go.
Can I use this as a nautical trivia round for adults?
Yes. The questions are written to be read out loud with three options each, and the answer key gives the quizmaster everything needed to score a table of teams.
How hard are these sailing trivia questions?
The first third covers vocabulary that any beginner picks up in a weekend course. The later questions on leech tension, heaving to and staysails are aimed at people who have spent real time on a boat.
What is a good score on this sailing quiz?
More than half correct is a respectable result. The scoring table turns your total into a rank, from Deckhand at the bottom to Sailing Master at the top.
Do I need to know racing rules to answer these questions?
Only for a few. Most questions are about parts of the boat, lines, sails and points of sail. One question covers right of way between boats on opposite tacks.
What does port mean on a boat?
Port is the left side of the boat when you face forward, and starboard is the right side. Both terms turn up as questions in the quiz above.
What is the difference between a sheet and a halyard?
A halyard hoists a sail up the mast, and a sheet controls the angle of a sail once it is up. Mixing the two is the classic beginner mistake.
Which boat has right of way when two sailboats meet?
When two sailing boats are on opposite tacks, the boat on starboard tack has right of way. When both are on the same tack, the windward boat keeps clear.
