Sailing, Sailing Trivia Quiz

Answer: lines used for controlling and adjusting sails

On most sailboats there are three sheets-the port jib sheet, the starboard jib sheet and the mainsheet. The jib sheets are the lines (ropes) that control the jib sail and the main sheet controls the mainsail. The saying "being three sheets to the wind" referring to someone who is extremely drunk or out of control comes from this sailing term. On a sailboat if all three of your sheets are out flapping in the wind you have no control over your sails and thus your sailboat.

Answer: a line used for raising or lowering sails

In the old large multi-masted square rigged sailing ships with many sails, most sails were attached to a horizontal pole. This pole was known as a yard. A line was attached to the yard to raise or lower that sail. This act was known as "hauling a yard" which became halyard.

Answer: port, starboard

It is believed that in olden days when sailors were learning about the affect of a keel on sailing, they would attach a board known as a "star board" to the right side of the boat to perform the function of a keel. If you attempted to dock on the right side of the boat you would damage or break the "star board." That is why they would put the opposite side of the boat next to the "port."

Answer: tying knots

A "marlinspike" is a long metal nail used in splicing cable. A similar tool that is made of wood and used for splicing rope is a "fid."

Answer: a form of punishment for sailors.

From the dutch word "kielhalen" meaning to drag along the keel, a rope was looped under the keel and tied to the offending sailor. The sailor was then thrown over one side and dragged under the boat to the other side or thrown off the bow and retrieved at the stern. Due to the build up of barnacles and other marine life attached to the hull, serious and life-threatening injury could result if the sailor was dragged quickly and therefore pressed up against the hull and keel while underneath the boat.

However, the downside of being pulled slowly under the boat was that the sailor may drown from being under water too long.

Answer: changing direction by passing the stern of the boat through the wind

The jibe is one of the most potentially dangerous maneuvers in sailing. There are two types of jibes- intentional (or controlled jibe) and unintentional. In both types the boom passes over deck and crew compartment very rapidly. An unintentional jibe is usually a result of the person on the tiller not paying attention.

When the boom flies across the deck unexpectedly it can injure crew members and/or damage the boat.

Answer: bow painter

The word rope is seldom used aboard a sailboat. What landlubbers call ropes are referred to as lines. Some lines have other names when they have a specific purpose. Examples are halyards, sheets, and in this case painters. Ironically, the line used to ring the bell on board is in fact called a rope.

Answer: fenders

If you really want to irritate a sailor, call a fender a bumper.

Answer: spinnaker

Although very pretty when flying, spinnakers are difficult to fly and are usually used only by experienced sailors. Some sailors are switching to asymmetrical spinnakers because they can be flown without attaching a spinnaker pole.

Answer: America's Cup

The New York Yacht Club successfully defended the cup from 1857 until 1983 creating the longest win streak in the history of sport.