Sailing Certification Test Review
This is intended to provide a review for the certification test. Feel free to print this page off or do whatever.

Be able to name the parts of the boat.



A. Head

B. Mast

C. Leech

D. Luff

E. Sail

F. Foot

G. Tack

H. Clew

I. Outhall

J. Gooseneck
K. Downhall

L. Boom

M. Tiller Extender

N. Tiller

O. Painter

P. Centerboard

Q. Hull

R. Pintels

S. Rudder



You will need to know the rules of the club. The rules can be found on the rules page.


If someone were to say that you are on a certain tack they mean that that side of the boat is on the windward side or the high side. For example if you are on a starboard tack the wind is coming over the starboard side of the boat and the boat will be leaning with the starboard side higher up out of the water. Typically the skipper sits on the high side while steering to be able to see around the sails.


You will need to be able to identify the 3 knots that we have covered in meetings by drawings similar to these. You may be asked to be able to tie these knots as well.




Square Knot

Bowline

Figure 8

Vocabulary
Battens- Thin wooden or plastic strips placed in pockets in the sail

Block- A nautical pulley

Bow- Forward part of the boat

Capsize- To tip over

Cleat- A claw-like device that locks lines in place

Gooseneck- The fitting which attaches the boom to the mast

Halyard- A line used to haul sails up and down the mast

Heel- When the boat is leaning or one side of the boat is higher than the other due to the wind.

Leeward- Away from the wind

Lines- Any rope on a boat

Mainsheet- The line for controlling the main boom

Port- The left side of the boat

Starboard- The right side of the boat

Stern- The rear part of the boat

Trim- To adjust the sails

Wench-Mechanical device used to assist in raisingand adjusting sails.

Windward- Toward the wind


You should be able to tell 2 successive steps you should take if the boat starts to heel too much. 1. Head up to wind. 2. Let out the mainsheet.


You need to know the difference between tacking and jibing. Tacking is when you turn with the bow of the boat crossing the wind. Jibing is when you turn with the stern of the boat crossing the wind.