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Ahoy there, Sailing enthusiasts!

Are you prepared to embark on a voyage to test your knowledge of the sailing world and prove your seaworthiness?

Our challenging Sailing Quiz will put your nautical know-how to the ultimate test.

Just count your correct answers and navigate to the result table to evaluate your performance.

So hoist your sails, grab your compass, and let’s find out if you can sail through these questions with a stiff breeze at your back!

Table of Contents

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 boat by changing the direction of the wind
  • B) Turning the boat by moving the rudder
  • C) Changing the sails on the boat

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. What do the International Rules for Preventing Collisions at Sea dictate when two boats are on a collision course?

  • A) The boat on the right side has the right-of-way
  • B) The boat on the left side has the right-of-way
  • C) Both boats should alter course to avoid collision

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. What are the lines on a sailboat called that are used to control tension on the leech, or trailing edge, of a sail?

  • A) Halyards
  • B) Sheets
  • C) Outhauls

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 the term for when a crew member is on the leeward side of the boat and leans out over the water to balance the boat’s heel?

  • A) Hiking out
  • B) Bowline
  • C) Sheet in

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!

Hungry for More? Check out these Resources!

Max is a sports enthusiast who loves all kinds of ball and water sports. He founded & runs stand-up-paddling.org (#1 German Paddleboarding Blog), played competitive Badminton and Mini Golf (competed on national level in Germany), started learning ‘real’ Golf and dabbled in dozens of other sports & activities.

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