Sailing & Racing Terms

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Instructions: Set sail through this quiz about competitive sailing vocabulary!

1.
In sailing, what does 'tacking' mean?
A
Nailing something to the mast
B
Turning the bow of the boat through the wind to change direction
C
Steering straight ahead
D
Lowering the sails
2.
What does 'jibing' (or 'gybing') mean in sailing?
A
Telling jokes on board
B
Turning the stern of the boat through the wind
C
Tying knots in the rigging
D
Dropping anchor
3.
In sailing, what is the 'spinnaker'?
A
A type of fish found near boats
B
The person who steers the boat
C
A device for measuring wind speed
D
A large, lightweight, balloon-shaped sail used when sailing downwind
4.
What is a 'regatta'?
A
A Mediterranean port
B
A series of boat races or a sailing competition event
C
A type of sailing knot
D
A small sailboat
5.
In sailing, what does 'leeward' mean?
A
The side facing into the wind
B
Toward the back of the boat
C
Toward the left side of the boat
D
The side or direction sheltered from the wind
6.
What is a 'keel' on a sailboat?
A
A type of sail
B
The top of the mast
C
The steering wheel
D
A weighted fin on the bottom of the hull that provides stability and prevents sideways drift
7.
In sailing races, what is the 'start line'?
A
The first buoy on the course
B
A line painted on the water
C
An imaginary line between a committee boat and a pin mark
D
The marina exit
8.
What does 'heeling' mean in sailing?
A
Steering with the feet
B
Repairing the boat's hull
C
Walking on the deck
D
The boat leaning to one side under the force of the wind
9.
In sailing, what is 'right of way'?
A
The right side of the boat
B
The direction to the right
C
The rules determining which boat must keep clear to avoid collision
D
Permission to enter a marina
10.
What is a 'halyard' in sailing?
A
A half-yard measurement
B
A safety harness
C
A line (rope) used to hoist a sail up the mast
D
A type of anchor
11.
In sailing, what is 'trimming' the sails?
A
Decorating the sails
B
Adjusting the sails' angle relative to the wind for optimal performance
C
Cutting the sails to size
D
Folding the sails for storage
12.
What does 'beating' (or 'close-hauled') mean in sailing?
A
Sailing faster than other boats
B
Hitting the water with the hull
C
Sailing as close to the direction the wind is coming from as possible
D
Sailing during a storm
13.
In sailing, what is a 'protest'?
A
Objecting to weather conditions
B
Refusing to race
C
A formal complaint filed against another boat for a rule violation during racing
D
A rally against sailing regulations
14.
What is 'windward' in sailing?
A
The side or direction from which the wind is blowing
B
The back of the boat
C
A brand of sailboats
D
A calm area with no wind
15.
In sailing, what is a 'capsize'?
A
A type of sailing hat
B
The size of the cap on the mast
C
The capacity of the boat
D
When a boat overturns or is knocked onto its side

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