Sailing Terms Quiz

Nik

ADVERTISMENT

Okay, here’s a quick little quiz of sailing terms born from our Sailing Made Easy book. Test your sailing knowledge with these 5 questions – if you get them all right, the quiz will give you compliments. If you make a mistake, the quiz may act like a wise guy. Either way, it’s fun. Ready?

What is the “clew” of a sail?
1. The upper attachment point of a sailnope, that’s the “head”
2. The long stretch of sail that parallels the boomno, that’s the “foot”
3. The aft lower corner of a sailyou got it!
4. The area where reef lines are attachedthat would be incorrect!
Where is the “companionway” on a sailboat?
1. The entrance from the cockpit or deck to the cabin correct-a-mundo!
2. Synonymous with aft cabin – the rear cabin under cockpit nope -we made that up
3. The walkway along the deck I’m afraid not
4. In bigger boats it is the space located just before entering the engine room fooled ya!
A “grommet” is…
1. A very small screw inside most standing rigging hardware you thought that? No.
2. A washer that provides spacing in a standard winch incorrect, a washer in a winch is a washer in a winch
3. A tell tale that gets stuck to a sail and is of no use perhaps you don’t know what a grommet is
4. A metal ring set into a sail you got the smarts!
What’s a “spar”?
1. Slang for boathook it is not that
2. A pole used to support a sail your brain is working!
3. A pole used to fold sails I don’t think that exists!
4. A term describing a young sailor you can call them that but that’s wrong
A “block” in sailing means
1. Stealing another sailor’s wind that would be incorrect
2. A wooden shimunderstandable choice but no
3. A pulley we have a winner!
4. A fastener that secures running rigging to standing rigging uh, no.

Click on an answer above to start!

Retake The Quiz

Here are the results of the first quiz – only 50% of you got all the answers right. Let’s hope you can do better in the next quiz.

[contentblock id=other-quizzes]

ADVERTISMENT

Quiz

sailing terms terms

Share your thoughts about the article...

Responses

Darroch June 3, 2015

All good basic questions.

Reply
Wayne Perry June 4, 2015

Very good questions, please do more Quizing

Reply
Bill June 4, 2015

Pretty basic!

Reply
Duane Moran June 4, 2015

Thank God I got them all right. Because I’m an ASA instructor. Lol

Reply
Lenny Shabes June 4, 2015

Thank god I got them all right! They all were pretty basic but these are great, let’s do some harder ones!

Reply
Peter June 4, 2015

Give us a challenge!

Reply
Gary June 5, 2015

Im new to sailing but i managed to get them all correct, i know more than i thought i did, it would have been i bit poor if a brit got ’em all wrong.

Reply
Pete Begich June 5, 2015

What’s another name for that “grommet”? (cringle?) I like the quiz and that it is geared to beginners, newbies and students…as it should be. Nice addition!

Reply
Thomas Steffens June 5, 2015

I thought a Spar was a generic term for any linear rigid structure on a boat. Eg. – a mast is a spar or stanchions are spars. ???

Reply
1. Paul June 6, 2015
  
  Mast is a spar, stanchion is not. The definition is absolutely correct.
  
  Reply
bill mccreadie June 5, 2015

Answering questions keep you sharp

Reply
CaptODark30 June 5, 2015

yes but can you tell me what a boomkin is?

Reply
1. Paul June 6, 2015
  
  Boomkin, or bumpkin, is a brace, aft of the stern, to provide support for the backstay, especially used if the boom extends past the stern.
  
  Reply
2. Dave June 8, 2015
  
  A structure off the stern of the boat to support tackle used to trim the aftermost sail (probably a mizzen).
  
  Reply
mike elkins June 7, 2015

a grommet can also be made from rope. it is generally just a hoop sewn into the sail that reinforces the canvas. to lay up a grommet is similar to an eye splice. the pattern on sewing should be star burst to spread the tension

Reply

What is a Refit?

Planning a boat refit for long-term cruising? Learn the top 5 priorities every cruiser should focus on, from hull integrity to rigging, sails, electrical systems, and self-steering. Ensure your boat is safe, reliable, and ready for the open sea.

[A+] 5 Reasons Why Your Kids Should Be Sailing With Sail Caribbean This Summer

With Sail Caribbean, adolescents and teens have the opportunity to embark on an unforgettable adventure while gaining life skills and friendships. A unique opportunity to learn how to sail, dive, and acquire marine biology knowledge, all while giving back to the Caribbean community. With four decades of expertise, parents can rest assured a journey with Sail Caribbean will be one