Aha Trivia Stuff Everyone Should Know

Free practice tests · Kids & Youth

Stuff Every Sailing Scout Should Know: free practice in 30-second cards

Stuff Every Sailing Scout Should Know

Practice facts for the Small-Boat Sailing merit badge. Not an official Scouting America credential.

Start Stuff Every Sailing Scout Should Know ⚡ Today's sprint 🎙️ Voice mode

🔗 Put this game on your site

Free. It plays the first 50 cards; players subscribe at Aha Trivia for the rest. Every embed code

📖 Read the study guide

Free to start, no sign-up. 52 cards so far. One Knowledge Score and day streak across all your courses.

Questions people ask

Is this practice test free?

Yes. The first 50 cards are free for everyone with no sign-up, each with the answer, why it is right and its sources. Aha Trivia members get all 52 cards and timed practice exams.

How many practice questions are there?

52 practice questions so far. Each one is a 3-choice card that takes about 30 seconds, and the course grows as new cards pass our source checks.

Where do the answers come from?

Every card lists the sources it was checked against, and each answer explains why it is right. If you think an answer is wrong, tap "Challenge this answer" in the game and it gets reviewed.

Can I study in the car?

Yes. Voice mode reads the questions out loud and you answer by voice.

Try 3 cards

  1. What does a sailboat's keel or centerboard mainly do?
    Show the answer

    It provides sideways resistance so the boat can sail upwind. Underwater foils resist the sideways push of the sails, letting the boat make progress toward the wind.

  2. What is the windward side of a boat?
    Show the answer

    The side facing upwind. Windward means the upwind side, while leeward is the downwind side of the boat.

  3. What does the term starboard mean on a boat?
    Show the answer

    The right-hand side. Starboard is the right-hand side of a vessel, and port is the left-hand side.

All 52 practice questions

The first 50 are free, with the answer, why it's right and the official sources. The other 2 (🔒) open with a membership (every test). Or play them as a game and track what you've learned.

Show all 52 questions
  1. What does a sailboat's keel or centerboard mainly do?
  2. What is the windward side of a boat?
  3. What does the term starboard mean on a boat?
  4. What is the bow of a boat?
  5. What is the stern of a boat?
  6. Lines that raise sails are called what?
  7. Lines that adjust the angle of sails are called what?
  8. What is a rode on an anchored boat?
  9. What does a spinnaker do?
  10. What do tell-tales on a sail show?
  11. What does reefing a sail do?
  12. What is the no-go zone for a sailboat?
  13. A beam reach means the wind is coming from where?
  14. Running downwind means sailing in what direction?
  15. What happens during a tack?
  16. What happens during a jibe?
  17. Why must a boat sometimes zigzag to reach a point upwind?
  18. What does heeling mean for a sailboat?
  19. How can crew weight help control heeling?
  20. What does a weather helm cause a boat to do?
  21. Where should crew usually sit in a small sailboat to reduce drag?
  22. What is hull speed?
  23. What is the slot effect between a jib and mainsail?
  24. In stronger wind, how should a sail generally be shaped?
  25. What is the purpose of a float plan?
  26. How can you help prevent sunburn while sailing?
  27. What is a good way to prevent dehydration while sailing?
  28. What does the Safety Afloat policy cover?
  29. How are lines and halyards usually kept for stowage and reuse?
  30. What does the term port mean on a boat?
  31. What does the term beam mean for a boat?
  32. What does the term aft mean?
  33. What is running rigging on a sailboat?
  34. What are downhauls used for?
  35. What are guys used for on a sailboat?
  36. What are docklines used for?
  37. What is the leeward side of a boat?
  38. On a broad reach, what is the wind angle off the boat?
  39. Roughly how wide is the no-go zone on each side of the wind?
  40. What is beating to windward?
  41. What is a lift in sailing wind terms?
  42. What is a header in sailing wind terms?
  43. How do coastal winds often change between night and day?
  44. What do tide and current tables help a sailor do?
  45. What does smooth flow on both sides of a sail indicate?
  46. Which lines control the shape or curvature of a sail?
  47. What does slab reefing involve?
  48. What does reducing sail area also do besides lowering power?
  49. What does a lee helm cause a boat to do?
  50. When is the helm neutral?
  51. What is the apparent wind on a boat that is stopped in irons? 🔒
  52. What should you do before sailing to prepare for possible hazards? 🔒