boating license

Freeboard

Distance from water to lowest point of the boat where water could come on board

square

Give directions and information

Follow these steps to retrieve your anchor:

Move the boat directly over the anchor while pulling in the line. Pulling the anchor straight up should break it free. If the anchor is stuck, turn your boat in a large circle while keeping the anchor line pulled tight. When the anchor breaks loose, stop the boat and retrieve the anchor. Never drag the anchor behind the boat.

Underway

Not anchored, tied to shore, or aground

Calculate boats capacity

Number of people = (boat length (ft.) × boat width (ft.)) ------------------------------------------ 15

After fueling:

Put the fill cap on tightly to prevent vapors from escaping. Wipe up any spilled fuel and properly dispose of the used paper towels or rags on shore. Open all windows, ports, doors, and other openings. If your boat is equipped with a power ventilation system (exhaust blower), turn it on for at least four minutes before starting your engine. This will help eliminate fuel vapors in the bilge. Before starting the engine, sniff the bilge and engine compartment for fuel vapors. Continue ventilating until you cannot smell any fuel vapors. Consider installing a gas vapor detection and alarm device. Start the engine and then reload your passengers.

Gunwale

upper edge of a boats side

Port

left side of the boat

Cleat

metal fitting on which a rope can be fastened

Boats with displacement hulls

move through the water by pushing the water aside and are designed to cut through the water with very little propulsion

Jet Drives

use an engine to power a strong water pump, which sucks up water and then forces the water out the back to thrust the boat forward.

Stern

rear of the boat

Starboard

right side of the boat

Propeller

rotates and powers a boat forward or backwards

circle

Mark controlled areas

crossed diamonds

Mark exclusion (closed) areas

Beam

Maximum width of a vessel

Prepare your anchor before setting out:

Attach 7-8 feet of galvanized chain to the anchor. The chain helps set the anchor by lowering the angle of the pull as the chain sinks and settles to the bottom. It also will help prevent abrasion of the anchor line from sand or rock on the bottom. Most anchors grip by digging into the bottom when the line is pulled horizontally. Any upward pull may break the anchor loose. Be sure the anchor line is strong and long enough to anchor your boat. A good rule of thumb is that the length of the line should be at least seven to ten times the depth of the water where you are setting anchor. Since an anchor can be a safety device in an emergency situation, store the anchor and its lines in an accessible area. If the engine breaks down, you may need to anchor quickly to avoid drifting aground.

How planing hulls operate

Displacement Mode- A planing hull, when operated at very slow speeds, will cut through the water like a displacement hull Plowing Mode- As speed increases, a planing hull will have a raised bow, reducing the operator's vision and throwing a very large wake. Avoid maintaining a speed that puts your boat in plowing mode Planing Mode- Your boat is in planing mode when enough power is applied so that the hull glides on top of the water. Different boats reach planing mode at different speeds

Nautical Charts

Charts contain important information such as water depths and the locations of channels, sand bars, rocks, and vegetation

Draft

Depth of water needed to float a vessel

While filling the fuel tank:

Keep the nozzle of the fuel-pump hose in solid contact with the tank opening to prevent producing a static spark. Use caution and fill the tank slowly to avoid spilling fuel into the boat's bilge or into the water. Use an oil-absorbent pad to catch drips or spills. Never fill a tank to the brim—leave room for fuel to expand

Tiller

Lever used to turn a rudder to steer a boat

sheets

Lines (ropes) used to control the angle of the sails to the wind

Halyards

Lines (ropes) used to raise and lower the sails

Keel

Main centerline (backbone) of a vessel or the extension of hull that increases stability in the water

give-way vessel

The vessel that is required to take early and substantial action to keep well away from other vessels by stopping, slowing down or changing course

stand-on vessel

The vessel that must maintain its course and speed unless it becomes apparent that the give-way boat is not taking appropriate action; if you must take action, do not turn toward the give-way boat or cross in front of it

Mooring Buoy

These are white with a blue horizontal band. They usually are placed in marinas and other areas where boats are allowed to anchor. These are the only buoys you may tie up to legally

Before beginning to fuel:

Tie the boat securely to the fuel dock. Ask all passengers to leave the boat and go onto the dock. Do not allow anyone in your group or others at the fuel dock to smoke or strike a match. Check to see that fuel lines, connections, and fuel vents are in good condition. Turn off anything that might cause a spark—engines, fans, or electrical equipment. Shut off all fuel valves and extinguish all open flames, such as galley stoves and pilot lights. Close all windows, ports, doors, and other openings to prevent fumes from entering the boat. Remove portable fuel tanks from the boat and fill them on the dock. Make sure that your fire extinguisher is within reach.

Swamp

To fill with water

Capsize

To turn on the side or turn completely over

Transom

Vertical surface at the back of the hull

diamond

Warn of hazards and obstructions

Planing hulls

are designed to rise up and glide on top of the water when enough power is supplied

Hull

body of the boat

Boat lengths

class A- Less that 16ft Class 1- 16 feet to less than 26 feet Class 2- 26 feet to less than 40 feet Class 3- 40 feet to less than 65 feet

Inboard engines

four-stroke automotive engine adapted for marine use. Inboard engines are mounted inside the hull's midsection or in front of the transom. Steering of most inboard vessels, except PWCs and jet-drive boats, is controlled by a rudder behind the propeller.

Bow

front side of the boat

Stern drives

have quieter and more fuel-efficient engines. are known also as inboard/outboards (I/Os) because they combine features found on both inboard and outboard engines. Stern-drive engines are four-stroke automotive engines adapted for marine use and are mounted inside the boat.

Outboard engine

is a portable, self-contained package of an engine, gear case, and propeller that is attached to the transom of a boat.