ASA 101 - Chapter 1 - Wind and Boat Basics

Personal ASA 101 study cards adapted from the photographed Chapter 1 review questions and glossary. Answers follow the supplied key on page 190.

C1 Q01: Which two properties of the wind should a sailor keep checking?

Speed, direction [Supplied key p190]

C1 Q02: What desirable force is produced as wind flows across a sail?

Lift [Supplied key p190]

C1 Q03: What is the area around directly into the wind where a boat cannot sail?

No-sail zone [Supplied key p190]

C1 Q04: What point of sail lies at the edge of the no-sail zone?

Close-hauled [Supplied key p190]

C1 Q05: What is the general name for sailing across the wind?

Reaching [Supplied key p190]

C1 Q06: What is sailing straight downwind called?

Running [Supplied key p190]

C1 Q07: When the boat changes direction relative to the wind, what aspect of the sail's setting needs adjustment?

Angle [Supplied key p190]

C1 Q08: What wind combines true wind with the wind effect of the boat's motion?

Apparent [Supplied key p190]

C1 Q09: What underwater fin provides stability and lateral resistance?

Keel [Supplied key p190]

C1 Q10: What steers the boat underwater, and what two types of control can turn it?

Rudder, tiller, steering wheel [Supplied key p190]

C1 Q11: Which line hoists a sail, and which line controls the sail's angle?

Halyard, sheet [Supplied key p190]

C1 Q12: A block is a pulley. What fitting guides or changes the direction of a line?

Fairlead [Supplied key p190]

C1 Q13.1: What is the watertight structural shell of a boat?

Hull [Supplied key p190]

C1 Q13.2: What surface encloses the top of the hull?

Deck [Supplied key p190]

C1 Q13.3: What usually recessed area is used to steer and sail the boat?

Cockpit [Supplied key p190]

C1 Q13.4: What is the more-or-less flat surface that closes the hull at the stern?

Transom [Supplied key p190]

C1 Q13.5: What is the forward part of a boat?

Bow [Supplied key p190]

C1 Q13.6: What is the aft part of a boat?

Stern [Supplied key p190]

C1 Q13.7: What movable underwater appendage steers a boat?

Rudder [Supplied key p190]

C1 Q13.8: What general term describes the tiller or steering wheel?

Helm [Supplied key p190]

C1 Q13.9: What metal post supports the lifelines?

Stanchion [Supplied key p190]

C1 Q13.10: What wire supported around the deck perimeter helps keep crew aboard?

Lifeline [Supplied key p190]

C1 Q13.11: What guardrail at the bow or stern connects to lifelines?

Pulpit [Supplied key p190]

C1 Q14.1: What vertical spar supports the sails?

Mast [Supplied key p190]

C1 Q14.2: What spar supports the foot of the mainsail?

Boom [Supplied key p190]

C1 Q14.3: What articulated fitting connects the boom to the mast?

Gooseneck [Supplied key p190]

C1 Q14.4: What mast strut holds a shroud away from the mast?

Spreader [Supplied key p190]

C1 Q14.5: What standing-rigging wire supports the mast athwartships?

Shroud [Supplied key p190]

C1 Q14.6: What stay supports the mast from the bow?

Headstay / forestay [Supplied key p190]

C1 Q14.7: What stay supports the mast from the stern?

Backstay [Supplied key p190]

C1 Q15.1: What is the top corner of a sail?

Head [Supplied key p190]

C1 Q15.2: What is the forward lower corner of a sail?

Tack [Supplied key p190]

C1 Q15.3: What is the aft lower corner of a sail?

Clew [Supplied key p190]

C1 Q15.4: What is the forward edge of a sail?

Luff [Supplied key p190]

C1 Q15.5: What is the aft edge of a sail?

Leech [Supplied key p190]

C1 Q15.6: What is the bottom edge of a sail?

Foot [Supplied key p190]

C1 Q15.7: What slat supports sailcloth near the leech?

Batten [Supplied key p190]

C1 Q15.8: What short piece of yarn or similar material indicates airflow across a sail?

Telltale [Supplied key p190]

C1 Q16.1: What running-rigging line raises and lowers a sail?

Halyard [Supplied key p190]

C1 Q16.2: What line controls the main boom to trim the mainsail?

Mainsheet [Supplied key p190]

C1 Q16.3: What line attached to a jib clew controls its angle?

Jibsheet [Supplied key p190]

C1 Q16.4: What line or wire supports the boom when the sail is not supporting it?

Topping lift [Supplied key p190]

C1 Q16.5: What running-rigging control holds the boom down?

Boom vang [Supplied key p190]

C1 Q17.1: Which side is left when facing forward?

Port [Supplied key p190]

C1 Q17.2: What direction is at right angles to the boat centerline?

Abeam [Supplied key p190]

C1 Q17.3: What word means toward the bow?

Forward [Supplied key p190]

C1 Q17.4: What word means toward the stern?

Aft [Supplied key p190]

C1 Q17.5: What direction is beyond the bow?

Ahead [Supplied key p190]

C1 Q17.6: Which side is right when facing forward?

Starboard [Supplied key p190]

C1 Q17.7: What direction is behind the stern?

Astern [Supplied key p190]

C1 Q18.1: What direction or side is toward the wind?

Windward [Supplied key p190]

C1 Q18.2: What direction or side is away from the wind?

Leeward [Supplied key p190]