Practice Test Geeks(SAMS) Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors Certified Practice Test
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Yacht and Small Craft Surveyors Flashcards

7 cards from real SAMS practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Yacht and Small Craft Surveyors flashcards as text

  1. When surveying osmotic blistering on a fiberglass hull, which instrument is most appropriate for measuring moisture content?

    Answer: Capacitance-type moisture meter

    Capacitance-type moisture meters are the standard tool for non-destructive assessment of moisture content in fiberglass laminates.

  2. A surveyor finds that a vessel's keel bolts are made of silicon bronze while the keel itself is cast iron. What is the primary concern?

    Answer: Galvanic corrosion due to dissimilar metals

    Dissimilar metals in contact in the presence of an electrolyte (seawater) create a galvanic cell, causing accelerated corrosion of the less noble metal.

  3. Under the ABYC standards, what is the minimum wire gauge required for DC circuits up to 15 amperes in a marine environment?

    Answer: 14 AWG

    ABYC E-11 specifies that 14 AWG is the minimum conductor size for most protected DC circuits carrying up to 15 amperes.

  4. When inspecting a vessel's standing rigging, a surveyor notes '1x19' wire rope. What does this designation indicate?

    Answer: 19 wires in a single strand construction

    1x19 wire rope consists of 19 individual wires twisted into a single strand, providing high strength and low stretch ideal for standing rigging.

  5. A surveyor discovers that a boat's through-hull fitting below the waterline is made of plastic (PVC). What is the correct recommendation?

    Answer: Recommend replacement with a seacock and bronze or Marelon fitting

    ABYC and SAMS standards require seacocks on below-waterline through-hulls; PVC fittings are not approved for this application due to brittleness and UV degradation risk.

  6. What type of survey is typically conducted when a boat is used as collateral for a marine mortgage?

    Answer: Appraisal survey

    An appraisal survey establishes fair market value of the vessel, which is required by lenders to confirm adequate collateral for a marine mortgage.

  7. When evaluating a sailboat's stability, which factor most directly relates to its resistance to capsizing?

    Answer: Ballast-to-displacement ratio

    A higher ballast-to-displacement ratio lowers the center of gravity and increases the righting moment, directly improving resistance to capsizing.