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180 Sailing Trivia Questions, Answers, and Fun Facts

How much do you know about Sailing? This category is for trivia questions and answers related to Sailing (Sports). Each one is filled with fun facts and interesting information.
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1 At its most basic, beating is a series of sailing maneuvers aimed at achieving what goal?
Answer: Reaching a destination located almost exactly upwind

The physics of sailing prevent a boat or ship from making progress directly or near directly against the wind, but they do allow sailing at an angle of less than 90 degrees towards the wind. By zigzagging, you can thus reach a destination exactly upwind - this is the basic idea of beating.
  From Quiz: Beating the Wind
2 Sailing is an Olympic sport. When was the first time it was included on the Olympic program?
Answer: 1896

Sailing was introduced into the Olympics at the Games held in Athens, Greece in 1896. Although sailing was on the program for that year it could not take place because of weather concerns. Sailing was not included in the 1900 Olympics, but returned to the regular program in 1904.
  From Quiz: Red Sky at Night Sailors Delight
3 When did the race that started the "Quest for the America's Cup" happen?
Answer: 1851

In its many years of history, the quest for the Cup has undergone many changes from the original race in 1851 to the present day. Not only in the type of boats competing but the people sailing them. Still, it breaks down to a contest between one defender and one challenger, head to head.
  From Quiz: Quest for the America's Cup
4 Where would you put a baggy wrinkle on your yacht?
Answer: On a shroud

Baggy wrinkles are used to prevent sail chafe and are usually attached to the main shrouds, port and starboard. They can be used on any shroud that may rub against a sail. They were traditionally made by sailors out of old lines cut to various lengths and attached to a central core to form a sleeve.
  From Quiz: So You Think You're a Yachtsman?
5 On a sailboat, what is a sheet?
Answer: lines used for controlling and adjusting sails

On most sailboats there are three sheets-the port jib sheet, the starboard jib sheet and the mainsheet. The jib sheets are the lines (ropes) that control the jib sail and the main sheet controls the mainsail. The saying "being three sheets to the wind" referring to someone who is extremely drunk or out of control comes from this sailing term. On a sailboat if all three of your sheets are out flapping in the wind you have no control over your sails and thus your sailboat.
  From Quiz: Sailing, Sailing
6 On 15 May 2010, who became the youngest person to complete a solo and unassisted around the world sailing trip?
Answer: Jessica Watson

Jessica was born on the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia, so the sea was in her veins from an early age.
  From Quiz: Sailing Champ
7 The large usually colorful triangular sail used while running with the wind is called the what?
Answer: Spinnaker

The spinnaker is only used when the wind is coming from behind the vessel. The main and the jib can be used for all points of sail. The mast is the verticle pole the sails are attached to.
  From Quiz: Basic Sailing Terminology
8 After we left the dock Jim asked me to hold the tiller. I looked around for a farmer, but we were the only people on board. What did Jim ask me to do?
Answer: Steer the boat

A tiller is a straight piece of wood or metal which fits into the head of the rudder and is used for steering a boat.
  From Quiz: Sail Ho!
9 What is the derivation of the word "yacht"?
Answer: From the Dutch for "hunter"

Yachting for pleasure and sport began in Holland in the late 16th century. The word "yacht" comes from the old Dutch, jacht, an abbreviation of jaghtschip, "hunting ship". These original yachts, which were made for the rich and noble, were 14 to 20 metres (45 to 65 feet) and were fast and maneuverable.
  From Quiz: Hello Sailor! Got a Yacht?
10 The left and right sides of the boat are referred to as what?
Answer: Port and starboard

From the rear of the boat looking forward, the left side of the boat is port and the right side is starboard.
  From Quiz: Sailing Fundamentals
11 What is a neap tide?
Answer: Tide whose range is minimal

Neap tides occur just after the 1st and 3rd quarters of the lunar cycle. These tides occur when there is least difference between high & low water, though sailors usually call the few days each side of neap tide "Neaps". At "neaps", you are less likely to run aground as sea level at low water doesn't go down so much. Conversely, there will be less depth over obstructions at high water than would be the case at higher, i.e. spring tides.
  From Quiz: More Sailing Terms
12 Apart from a harbour, port means what?
Answer: Left

"No PORT wine LEFT in the bottle" is the easy way to remember this.
  From Quiz: Sailing Terms
13 What are the two types of rigging found on a sailing boat?
Answer: Running and Standing

Running rigging controls the movement of the sails. Halyards raise and lower the sails. Sheets are ropes attached to the sails, used to adjust them according to wind and course desired. Standing rigging is used to support the mast, and on small boats consists of two shrouds and a forestay. The shrouds give sideways support, and the forestay gives front and back support, by running from the bow to the top of the mast. Larger boats require more supports to secure the mast.
  From Quiz: More Sailing
14 What is the main body of a boat called?
Answer: hull
  From Quiz: Sailboat Parts
15 What is the name of the holes that are cut to let water run off the deck?
Answer: Scuppers
  From Quiz: Schooner Construction
16 Which basic maneuver will a beating boat or ship need to execute, usually many times?
Answer: Tacking

Tacking is a turning maneuver during which the bow of the vessel crosses the windward line. In the process, the sails need to be rearranged to cross the vessel's midline and be shifted to the other side. The side from which the apparent wind is coming is also referred to as the tack, thus a boat on starboard tack will have its sails on the port side, with wind from starboard providing propulsion.
    Your options: [ Jibing ] [ Tacking ] [ Capsizing ] [ Reaching ]
  From Quiz: Beating the Wind
17 What type of sailing yacht was the original "America", which gave its name to the America's Cup?
Answer: A schooner

The original "America" was a 110-ton, two-masted schooner. Typical of her day, she was gaff rigged (main and foresail four squared, held and controlled at the upper leach by a wooded pole or Gaff.) She was 101 feet LOA (length overall), 23 foot beam, and had a draft of ten feet. She carried three cannons, perhaps to defend against sore losers in the race.

She was built on the lines of a New York pilot boat, specifically to compete in this race. She sailed to England, in 1851, in response to an invitation, issued to the New York Yacht club, by the Royal Yacht Squadron of England. America competed against 14 other sailing yachts in the "Around the Island" (Isle of Wight) race, which is still held in the 21st century.
    Your options: [ A schooner ] [ A ketch ] [ A sloop ] [ A yawl ]
  From Quiz: Quest for the America's Cup
18 Where would you use a pig stick on your yacht?
Answer: At the top of the main mast

The pig stick is used to fly your yacht club burgee. (You do belong to a yacht club, don't you?) The pig stick is designed to be hoisted by a small halyard to the maintop so that the burgee flies above the mast and is free to rotate to show the direction of the apparent wind. This one you won't find at Amazon. I had to make it myself lovingly varnished and with bronze fittings. As my sailing days are over, it now hangs on the wall in the den next to a picture of my 37ft. cutter.
  From Quiz: So You Think You're a Yachtsman?
19 What is a halyard?
Answer: a line used for raising or lowering sails

In the old large multi-masted square rigged sailing ships with many sails, most sails were attached to a horizontal pole. This pole was known as a yard. A line was attached to the yard to raise or lower that sail. This act was known as "hauling a yard" which became halyard.
  From Quiz: Sailing, Sailing
20 How many nautical miles were covered by the youngest person to sail solo around the world in 2010?
Answer: 23,000

Leaving Australia and traveling east across the Pacific, then the Atlantic and the Indian oceans on the trip, the little sailor's arrival back in the Australian zone at sea was celebrated with a meal of Vegemite and crackers.
  From Quiz: Sailing Champ
21 Turning a sailboat so that the bow passes through the eye of the wind is known as what?
Answer: Tacking

Turning the boat so that the stern passed through the eye of the wind is called jibing.
  From Quiz: Basic Sailing Terminology
22 Traditionally, a vessel is not a yacht when it _______ .
Answer: has a retractable keel

It's a fine line between yacht and not, but the traditional divide is the keel. Yachts have fixed keels (and can generally sink). Sailing boats that have a retractable keel (and cannot usually sink) are called sailing dinghies. There are sailing dinghies larger than some small yachts. Notwithstanding all the above, classified ads for most sailing craft describe them as yachts, as do owners to people who will never actually see their pride and joy.
    Your options: [ is not registered at a port of a national maritime authority ] [ has no accommodation below deck ] [ has an outboard motor ] [ has a retractable keel ]
  From Quiz: Hello Sailor! Got a Yacht?
23 What colour flag must be flown when first entering the territorial waters of another Country?
Answer: Yellow

The yellow flag is the international signal flag for, "my vessel is healthy". It is known as the "Q" flag, and in effect invites Customs Officers to inspect your vessel. Once inspected, or after a specified period awaiting inspection, the Q flag can be lowered, and need not be raised again while inside the territorial waters of that country.
  From Quiz: More Sailing Terms
24 Which colour indicates Starboard?
Answer: Green

Starboard is of course "right", so think of "green for go is all right"!
    Your options: [ Black ] [ Red ] [ Green ] [ Yellow ]
  From Quiz: Sailing Terms
25 Rope put aboard a sailboat is called a what?
Answer: line

The art of knot tying, splicing, and whipping is called marlinspike.
  From Quiz: Nautical Knowledge
26 A boat has a port(left) and starboard(right) side. In describing a boats side relative to the wind, which terms are used?
Answer: Windward and Leeward

The weather is the side on to which the wind is blowing, while the lee is the opposite or sheltered side of the boat. These are interchangable according to direction.
    Your options: [ Heavy and Light ] [ High side and Hull side ] [ Windward and Leeward ] [ Windward and Wet ]
  From Quiz: More Sailing
27 On average, how long did it take a colonial shipyard to build a decent schooner?
Answer: about six months
  From Quiz: Schooner Construction
28 Ben Ainslie won five Olympic medals in sailing, four gold and one silver before announcing his retirement in 2013. What country is he from?
Answer: Great Britain

Ben Ainslie sailed for Great Britain and won five Olympic medals between the years 1996 and 2012, becoming the first sailor to achieve the feat of winning a medal at five consecutive Games. He sailed the Laser and Finn classes, which were in the heavyweight class at the Olympics and involve a single handed dinghy.
  From Quiz: Red Sky at Night Sailors Delight
29 What does the actual America's Cup look like?
Answer: A large silver ewer (pitcher)

The Cup was originally called the "Royal Yacht Squadron Cup" or the "RYS Cup for 100 Sovereigns" until the "America" won the Cowells race, when it was renamed The America's Cup. It was created in 1848 by R&S Garrard Ltd., silversmiths in England. The Cup is normally proudly displayed in the trophy case of the defending yacht club.

While in the custody of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron in 1997, the Cup was badly damaged with a sledge hammer wielded by a deranged man (a power boater, no doubt). It was repaired, at no charge, by the original silversmith establishment in England.

It is affectionately known as the "Auld Mug".
  From Quiz: Quest for the America's Cup
30 The ______ is the left side of the boat when facing the bow. The _______ is the right side of the boat when facing the bow.
Answer: port, starboard

It is believed that in olden days when sailors were learning about the affect of a keel on sailing, they would attach a board known as a "star board" to the right side of the boat to perform the function of a keel. If you attempted to dock on the right side of the boat you would damage or break the "star board." That is why they would put the opposite side of the boat next to the "port."
    Your options: [ high side, low side ] [ starboard, port ] [ port, starboard ] [ yin, yang ]
  From Quiz: Sailing, Sailing
31 How many days did the trip take by the youngest person to sail solo around the world in 2010?
Answer: 210

The halfway point around the world was passed on the 100th day of the trip. Just south of Australia on the final leg, the weather was so bad it tilted the boat on angles so steep that the mast went deep into the sea.
  From Quiz: Sailing Champ
32 What is the name of the line which is used to raise or lower the sails?
Answer: Halyard

A sheet controls the sails angle to the wind. A painter is also known as the bow line. A teather is used to tie objects to the boat.
    Your options: [ Teather ] [ Sheet ] [ Halyard ] [ Painter ]
  From Quiz: Basic Sailing Terminology
33 Jim asked me to look at a chart to find out if the water was deep enough for us to enter Richardson Bay. The chart showed a depth of half a fathom so I told him it was plenty deep. We got stuck in the mud. How much is a fathom?
Answer: Six feet

A fathom is a measure of water depth equal to six feet.
  From Quiz: Sail Ho!
34 Shank, crown, stock, and fluke will all be found where?
Answer: In the chain locker

These are all parts of anchors. There are several general types in common use. Examples are Danforth, CQR, patent, and admiralty.
  From Quiz: Hello Sailor! Got a Yacht?
35 The lines that are used to raise and lower the sails are known as what?
Answer: Halyards

When the halyard is not secure and no sail is attached, keep a firm grip to the shackle because if it slips out of your reach, you may have to climb the mast to retrieve it.
  From Quiz: Sailing Fundamentals
36 A Sailing vessel having two masts, the 'aft', i.e. rear mast, being taller than the front (for'ard) mast is called a ______________ .
Answer: Schooner

Other vessels such as ketches, yawls and brigs also have 2 masts, but do not meet this precise description of the schooner.
  From Quiz: Sailing Terms
37 The rigging which exerts side forces to keep the mast vertical are the what?
Answer: shrouds

Check your shroud tension. Loose shrouds are the one of the main causes of dismasting.
    Your options: [ halyards ] [ sheets ] [ painters ] [ shrouds ]
  From Quiz: Nautical Knowledge
38 Which sail IS a head sail?
Answer: jib

Main sail is the larger sail that you can't sail without, quite obviously the main sail. The Spinaker and Jib sails are raised at the head of the boat and are therefore headsails. Second and front sails are, to the extent of my knowledge, are not sails.
    Your options: [ main ] [ jib ] [ second ] [ front ]
  From Quiz: Sailboat Parts
39 What do you have to do to the rigging before it is finished?
Answer: Serve and Parcel it
  From Quiz: Schooner Construction
40 Over the years, the race rules have evolved to limit the entries to a "class" of boat. What class was the largest and, arguably, the most beautiful of the America's Cup contenders?
Answer: The "J" Class

In 1903, to eliminate the need for complicated handicapping of America's Cup contenders, the Universal Rule for sailing boats entering the cup challenges was established. It, as were subsequent racing rules, was based on a complex formula involving length overall of the hull (LOA), sail area, and displacement, as well as other factors.

This resulted in the "J" class America's Cup contenders. The boats varied in LOA from 119ft to 135ft, with an average displacement of 150 tons and an average sail area of 7,500 square feet.

The class first appeared as conversions of existing craft in 1893 and continued with as many as ten "hull up" "Js" trying for cup competition. In 2001 a revival of the class was started because of their beauty. Nine "J" class boats existing today are replicas of America's Cup contenders.
  From Quiz: Quest for the America's Cup
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