New Hampshire Boat Test Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is the front of a vessel called?

Bow

What is the rear of a vessel called?

Stern

What does 'starboard' refer to on a vessel?

Right side of vessel

What does 'port' refer to on a vessel?

Left side of vessel Signup and view all the answers

What is the body of a vessel called?

Hull Signup and view all the answers

What is a gunwale?

Upper edge of vessel's side Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a cleat on a vessel?

Metal fitting where rope can be fastened Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of a propeller?

Rotates and powers the boat backwards or forwards Signup and view all the answers

What does 'beam' refer to on a vessel?

Max width of vessel Signup and view all the answers

What is the freeboard of a vessel?

Distance from water to lowest point of the boat where water could come on board Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of a sailboat keel?

Attached to bottom of hull and stops sailboat from sliding sideways through water Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a sailboat rudder?

Used to steer, turned by tiller or steering wheel Signup and view all the answers

What does sailboat rigging include?

Lines, mainsail, headsail, boom and mast Signup and view all the answers

What are sailboat halyards used for?

Lines (ropes) used to raise and lower the sails Signup and view all the answers

What are sailboat sheets?

Lines (ropes) used to control the angle of sails to the wind Signup and view all the answers

What is the mainsail?

Sail controlled by boom Signup and view all the answers

What does a sailboat boom do?

Large pole across that controls mainsail and direction Signup and view all the answers

Where is the capacity plate located on a boat?

Operators position or transom of boat Signup and view all the answers

What is the maximum weight capacity for a vessel?

Passengers & gear & motors Signup and view all the answers

What does capsizing mean?

To turn on side or completely turn over Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean to swamp a boat?

To fill with water Signup and view all the answers

What is a transom?

Vertical surface at back of hull Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA)?

National Marine Manufacturers Association Signup and view all the answers

What is required by federal law for boats less than 20 feet in length?

Capacity plate Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of a bilge?

Interior of hull below flowboards; lowest part of vessel's interior Signup and view all the answers

How do you prevent running out of fuel?

Think in thirds Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'coupler' refer to on a trailer?

Part of the trailer that attaches to ball hitch on a towing vehicle Signup and view all the answers

What should be done with trailer safety chains?

2 strong chains should be crisscrossed to support trailer's coupler Signup and view all the answers

What are bunks on a trailer?

Wooden supports on which the vessel rests while on the trailer Signup and view all the answers

What is the figure 8 bend used for?

Connecting two ropes to make extended rope and making stopper knot Signup and view all the answers

What is the bowline knot used for?

Hitching, mooring or lifting Signup and view all the answers

What is the anchor bend knot used for?

Securing rope to an anchor or ring Signup and view all the answers

What is a clearing hitch used for?

To attach line to cleat on dock Signup and view all the answers

What is a clove hitch used for?

Temporary fastening e.g tying up to piling Signup and view all the answers

What is a round turn and two half hitches used for?

Tying down bulky load or tying a boat to a mooring post Signup and view all the answers

What information is found on a vessel's capacity plate?

How many people, motors and gear are allowed on the vessel Signup and view all the answers

Name three things that should be included in a float plan.

Description of vessel, number of passengers, destination Signup and view all the answers

What is tongue weight?

Amount of the loaded trailer's weight that presses down on towing hitch Signup and view all the answers

What steps are needed to minimize fumes after fueling?

Open all openings, run bilge exhaust blower, sniff bilge and ventilate Signup and view all the answers

When casting off wind and current towards the dock, which line do you cast off first?

Stern Signup and view all the answers

What should you do after casting off the stern line when wind and current is towards the dock?

Move and secure bow line to a mid-boat position on the dock Signup and view all the answers

After securing the bow line mid-boat, what do you do next?

Ensure fenders are in place on the bow Signup and view all the answers

Once you have fenders on the boat, what is the next step before leaving the dock?

Put the boat into forward gear briefly and turn steering wheel hard toward the dock Signup and view all the answers

What do you do after turning the steering wheel away from the dock?

Increase speed slowly until the stern is well clear of the dock Signup and view all the answers

What do you do after the stern is clear of the dock?

Cast off bow line Signup and view all the answers

After the bow line is cast off, what should you do next?

Back out slowly until you have room to shift into forward and turn away from dock Signup and view all the answers

What are three responsibilities of every boater?

Practice good seamanship, keep a proper lookout, maintain a safe speed Signup and view all the answers

What is a give-way vessel?

Vessel required to take early action to keep away from other vessels Signup and view all the answers

What is a stand-on vessel?

Vessel that must maintain its speed and course unless give-way vessel doesn't follow correct course of action Signup and view all the answers

What is considered a vessel?

Every kind of watercraft capable of being used as means of transportation on water, including seaplanes Signup and view all the answers

What is a power-driven vessel?

Any vessel propelled by machinery, including sailboats using engines Signup and view all the answers

What defines a sailing vessel?

Any vessel under sail and with no engine in use Signup and view all the answers

What is a vessel engaged in fishing?

Any fishing vessel with nets, lines, trawls, or other fishing equipment that restricts maneuverability Signup and view all the answers

What does 'underway' mean?

Not anchored, tied to shore/dock, or aground Signup and view all the answers

What does 'risk of collision' refer to?

Any situation when an approaching vessel continues on a collision course Signup and view all the answers

If two power-driven vessels are approaching head-on, what is the course of action?

Both should turn to starboard Signup and view all the answers

What should a vessel do when two power-driven vessels are crossing paths?

Vessel on operator's port side is give-way vessel, vessel on operator's starboard is stand-on vessel Signup and view all the answers

In a situation where two power vessels are overtaking, what is the course of action?

Vessel overtaking is a give-way vessel, the vessel being overtaken is the stand-on vessel Signup and view all the answers

In a power-driven vessel and sailing vessel meeting head-on, which is the give-way vessel?

Power-driven vessel is the give-way vessel Signup and view all the answers

What does leeward mean?

Direction the wind is blowing to, or downwind Signup and view all the answers

What does windward mean?

Direction where the wind is blowing from, or upwind Signup and view all the answers

When two sailboats approach each other with the wind on the same side, which vessel is the stand-on vessel?

The leeward vessel Signup and view all the answers

When two sailboats approach each other with the wind on different sides, which vessel is the stand-on vessel?

The vessel with the wind on the starboard side Signup and view all the answers

What are side lights/combination lights?

Red and green. Red on port side, green on starboard Signup and view all the answers

What colour of light is on the port side of the hull?

Red Signup and view all the answers

What colour of light is on the starboard side of the hull?

Green Signup and view all the answers

What type of light is a sternlight?

White light Signup and view all the answers

What does a masthead light do?

Shines forward Signup and view all the answers

What is an all-round white light?

Can be seen from every direction Signup and view all the answers

In a power-driven vessel at night, when you see a green and a white light, are you the give-way or stand-on vessel?

Stand-on vessel Signup and view all the answers

In a power-driven vessel at night, when you see a red and a white light, are you the give-way or stand-on vessel?

Give way Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean if you see a red, a green, and a white light at night?

You are approaching another power vessel head on and must give way Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean if you see only a red or only a green light?

You are approaching a sailing vessel and must give way Signup and view all the answers

If you see a yellow light, what kind of vessel does this belong to?

It is a towing light on a commercial vessel Signup and view all the answers

How long is a short blast?

About 1 second Signup and view all the answers

How long is a prolonged blast?

4-6 seconds Signup and view all the answers

What does one short blast indicate?

I intend to pass you on my port side Signup and view all the answers

What does two short blasts indicate?

I intend to pass you on my starboard side Signup and view all the answers

What does three short blasts indicate?

I am operating astern propulsion/I am backing up Signup and view all the answers

What does one prolonged blast less than two minutes long indicate?

Used by power-driven vessels when underway Signup and view all the answers

What does one prolonged blast plus two short blasts at intervals of less than two minutes indicate?

Used by sailing vessels Signup and view all the answers

What does one prolonged blast indicate?

A warning signal (e.g. coming round blind bend/ leaving dock) Signup and view all the answers

What does five or more short rapid blasts indicate?

Used to signal danger or disagreement with other boaters' intentions Signup and view all the answers

In a power-driven vessel at night, when you see only a white light, what do you do?

You are overtaking another vessel, or it is anchored Signup and view all the answers

What is a PWC safety lanyard?

Short cord for attaching the ignition safety switch to the operator's wrist or life jacket Signup and view all the answers

What is an intake on a vessel?

Opening in hull that draws water towards the impeller Signup and view all the answers

What is an intake grate?

Screening cover over intake between motor and propeller Signup and view all the answers

What is an impeller?

Device used to pump and force water under pressure through a steering nozzle at the rear of the vessel Signup and view all the answers

What is a steering nozzle?

Device used for directing the stream of water to left or right at the stern of PWC Signup and view all the answers

What does draft refer to in relation to a vessel?

Depth of water needed to float a vessel Signup and view all the answers

What is a keel on a vessel?

Main centreline (backbone) of vessel Signup and view all the answers

What is a displacement hull?

Moves through water by pushing water aside; designed for slow speed Signup and view all the answers

What is a planing hull?

Rises above water and glides on surface when enough power is supplied Signup and view all the answers

What is a personal watercraft?

A small vessel that uses an inboard jet drive as its main source of propulsion Signup and view all the answers

What is 'displacement mode' in relation to a vessel?

Acts as a displacement hull, slow speeds cutting through water Signup and view all the answers

What is 'plowing mode' in relation to a vessel?

Medium speed, raised bow, throwing large wake, reduced vision Signup and view all the answers

What is 'planing mode' in relation to a vessel?

Vessel has enough power to glide above water Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Boat Terminology

Bow: The front part of a vessel.
Stern: The rear part of a vessel.
Starboard: The right side of a vessel when facing forward.
Port: The left side of a vessel when facing forward.
Hull: The main body of the vessel.
Gunwale: The upper edge of a vessel's side, pronounced "gunnel."
Cleat: A metal fitting where ropes can be secured.
Propeller: Device that rotates to power the boat either backwards or forwards.
Beam: The maximum width of a vessel.
Freeboard: Distance from the waterline to the lowest point of the vessel where water could enter.

Sailboat Components

Keel: Attached to the bottom of the hull, preventing sideways sliding.
Rudder: Steering device, operated via a tiller or steering wheel.
Rigging: Includes lines, mainsail, headsail, boom, and mast.
Halyards: Lines used for raising and lowering sails.
Sheets: Lines that control sail angle to the wind.
Mainsail: The primary sail controlled by the boom.
Boom: Large pole controlling the mainsail.

Safety & Regulations

Capacity Plate: Required on boats less than 20 feet by federal law, and less than 26 feet by NMMA.
Maximum Weight: Sum of passengers, gear, and motors.
Capsize: The risk of the vessel turning on its side or over.
Swamp: A situation where the vessel fills with water.

Trailer Information

Coupler: Connects trailer to the towing vehicle.
Safety Chains: Strong chains required to support the trailer's coupler.
Bunks: Wooden supports for the vessel when on the trailer.
Tongue Weight: Should be 10% of the total weight of vessel and trailer.

Knot Tying & Usage

Figure 8 Bend: Connects two ropes or serves as a stopper knot.
Bowline Knot: Used for hitching, mooring, or lifting.
Anchor Bend Knot: Secures rope to an anchor.
Clove Hitch: Temporary fastening knot.
Round Turn and Two Half Hitches: Ideal for tying down loads.

Boater Responsibilities

Seamanship: Essential for safe operation.
Lookout: Maintain visual awareness while boating.
Safe Speed: Must be adhered to ensure safety.

Give-Way Vessel: Must take action to avoid collision.
Stand-On Vessel: Maintains course and speed unless the give-way vessel fails to act.
Masthead Light: Shines forward; distinguishes power-driven vessels.
Sailing Vessel: Operated under sails without engine use.

Light Identification at Night

Colors: Red light on port side, green on starboard side.
Sternlight: White light visible from behind.
All-Round White Light: Visible from every direction.
Approaching Signals: Interpretation of masthead lights correlates to give-way responsibilities.

Fuel Management and Safety

Preventing Fuel Running Out: Keep one-third of fuel for each segment of the journey plus reserve.
Minimizing Fumes After Fueling: Ensure ventilation, run bilge blower, and sniff for fuel vapors.

Vessel Operation Strategies

Casting Off: First step is to release the stern line; secure the bow line mid-boat.
Direction of Travel: Adjust steering based on wind/current conditions toward the dock.
Collision Risk Awareness: Recognizing when vessels are on a collision course requires strategic maneuvering.

Hull Design Types

Displacement Hull: Designed to move through water, ideal for slow boats.
Planing Hull: Rises above water for fast travel, suitable for speedboats.

Personal Watercraft (PWC)

Definition: Operated atop the vessel rather than inside, uses jet drive for propulsion.
Modes of Operation: Varies from displacement (slow) to planing (fast) depending on speed.

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Description

Test your knowledge with these flashcards designed for the New Hampshire Boat Test. Each card features essential boating terminology, including parts of a vessel and their definitions. Perfect for students preparing for their boating license.