Sailing terminology
Sailing terms every beginner should know
New to sailing? Learn the essential terms for your first lesson: bow, stern, port, starboard, halyard, sheet, tack, jibe and more, with diagrams and a free quiz.
16 min read
United States learning path
Sailing practice in familiar US terms
Preparing for ASA 101, brushing up on the US Navigation Rules, or learning basic keelboat theory: pick preparation guidance, free practice questions, or the app course.
ASA 101 preparation
Prepare, practise, continue
Three pages with three different jobs. Start wherever you are.
1 · Prepare
ASA 101 study guide
What Keelboat Sailing 1 covers, knowledge versus on-water skills, a topic checklist from the published standard, common misunderstandings, a seven-day plan and a printable checklist.
14 min read · free
Read the study guide2 · Practise
ASA 101 practice test
Ten independently written questions on terms, points of sail, tacking and jibing, right of way, US buoys, safety gear and knots. Every answer explained, with a review of what you missed and topics to revisit.
10 questions · no sign-up
Start free practice3 · Continue
Basic Keelboat Theory in the app
The SailQuiz course written for US beginners: 12 modules and 580+ explained questions on the same topics, with review that brings back what you miss. Free to download, no account, works offline.
iPhone, iPad and Android
About the course
Also for US boaters
US Navigation Rules practice
Five explained scenarios on lookout, safe speed, collision risk, crossing situations and action to avoid collision — the reasoning behind the International and Inland Rules that every US course examines.
Practice the Navigation Rules · COLREGs quiz: who gives way?
Free guides US beginners read first
Sailing skills
Tacking vs jibing: which end crosses the wind, and why the boom cares
Tacking turns the bow through the wind; jibing turns the stern through it. Diagrams of both, the commands crew expect, why the boom swings hard in a jibe, how to control it, and a short knowledge check.
8 min read
Getting started
ASA vs US Sailing vs RYA: what's the difference?
How the American Sailing (ASA), US Sailing and RYA training schemes are structured, how they assess you, where each is used, what the ICC and IPC are, and why “do I need a licence to charter?” has no single answer.
12 min read
Sailing terms every beginner should knowAll exam preparation guides
Know the boundary
International principles, US-specific application
Core seamanship, weather, navigation, and the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea are widely applicable. US inland waters also have Inland Navigation Rules and jurisdiction-specific requirements, and US buoyage follows IALA Region B.
American Sailing (ASA) and US Sailing are separate organisations with their own standards, schools and certifications. This learning path is for sailors in the United States; it is not a US Sailing programme and it is not ASA material. Verify current course and licensing requirements with the relevant official body and your instructor.
The Basic Keelboat Theory course in the SailQuiz app has 580+ explained questions across 12 modules; see the FAQ for what the free plan includes.