Alabama Boaters Boat Handling & Operating Skills 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is 'ferrying' technique used for when crossing a strong river current?
- Using an anchor to hold position against the current
- Angling the bow upstream and using engine power to cross while the current carries you (Correct answer)
- Shutting the engine and drifting across with the current
- Signaling other vessels to create a break in current
Correct answer: Angling the bow upstream and using engine power to cross while the current carries you
Ferrying involves angling the bow upstream at an angle so the current's push and engine thrust combine to move you across with minimal downstream drift.
Question 2: When launching a boat from a trailer at a ramp, what is the correct sequence?
- Back down fully, disconnect bow strap, start engine, remove trailer tie-downs
- Remove tie-downs and bow strap before backing down, then launch
- Back trailer into water until boat floats, then remove transom straps and bow line before starting engine (Correct answer)
- Start the engine on the trailer, then back into the water with engine running
Correct answer: Back trailer into water until boat floats, then remove transom straps and bow line before starting engine
Back the trailer until the boat floats, then remove straps and the bow line — starting the engine on the ramp risks overheating with no water flow.
Question 3: What navigational action should you take when you see a vessel's red and green bow lights directly ahead at night?
- Maintain course — you have right of way as a stand-on vessel
- Alter course to starboard to pass port-to-port (Correct answer)
- Speed up to cross ahead of the vessel
- Turn your lights off to avoid confusion
Correct answer: Alter course to starboard to pass port-to-port
Seeing both red and green bow lights ahead means you are in a head-on situation; both vessels should alter course to starboard.
Question 4: How does engine placement (bow-heavy vs. stern-heavy loading) affect a boat's ability to plane?
- Bow-heavy loading helps the boat plane faster by keeping the nose down
- Stern-heavy loading causes the bow to rise excessively, requiring more power to plane and reducing visibility (Correct answer)
- Loading position has no effect on planing characteristics
- Planing ability is solely determined by engine horsepower, not weight distribution
Correct answer: Stern-heavy loading causes the bow to rise excessively, requiring more power to plane and reducing visibility
Excess stern weight raises the bow in a steep attitude that increases drag and requires significantly more throttle to achieve planing speed.
Question 5: When operating in shallow water, why should you tilt your outboard motor up slightly?
- To increase top speed in shallow conditions
- To prevent the propeller and lower unit from striking the bottom (Correct answer)
- To reduce engine noise in residential areas
- To improve fuel economy at low speeds
Correct answer: To prevent the propeller and lower unit from striking the bottom
Tilting the motor slightly up in shallow water raises the propeller and lower unit to avoid striking bottom obstructions or the bottom itself.
Question 6: What does it mean when you hear five or more short blasts from a vessel's horn?
- The vessel is requesting a bridge opening
- It is a danger or distress signal indicating the other vessel is unsure of your intentions (Correct answer)
- The vessel is announcing its departure from a dock
- It is an all-clear signal after a navigational hazard
Correct answer: It is a danger or distress signal indicating the other vessel is unsure of your intentions
Five or more short blasts is the danger/doubt signal, meaning the other operator does not understand your intentions and believes a collision risk exists.
Question 7: What is the safest way to fuel a boat with an inboard gasoline engine?
- Fuel at the dock while the engine is running to save time
- Shut off the engine, close all ports and hatches, fuel slowly, then ventilate the bilge for at least 4 minutes before starting (Correct answer)
- Fuel with hatches open and engine running so fumes are blown away
- Only fuel at night when fire risk is lower
Correct answer: Shut off the engine, close all ports and hatches, fuel slowly, then ventilate the bilge for at least 4 minutes before starting
Gasoline fumes are heavier than air and accumulate in the bilge; closing hatches while fueling prevents fumes from spreading, and ventilating before starting prevents explosion.
Alabama Boaters Boat Handling & Operating Skills 5
What is 'ferrying' technique used for when crossing a strong river current?