Boating can be a fun and relaxing activity out on the open water. But it also requires knowledge and skills to stay safe. Testing your boating knowledge with some riddles can be an entertaining way to learn. Here are 58 riddles about boating along with the answers to test and improve your boating IQ.
Riddles About Boating Rules
These riddles cover some key rules of boating that all boaters should know. Make sure you know the correct protocols before heading out on the water.
Riddle #1
When two power boats meet head-on, what is each boat required to do?
Answer:
Each power boat must alter course to the starboard (right) side and pass port (left) side to port (left) side.
Riddle #2
What is the speed limit in most no-wake zones?
Answer:
The speed limit in no-wake zones is idle speed or a slow speed whereby the wake or wash created by the vessel would be minimal. Typically under 5 mph.
Riddle #3
True or false: It’s OK to water ski in swimming areas as long as you avoid swimmers.
Answer:
False. Water skiing and operating above wake speed is prohibited in designated swimming areas.
Riddle #4
What is the main purpose of navigation rules?
Answer:
The purpose of navigation rules is to prevent collisions between vessels.
Riddles About Boat Parts
How’s your knowledge on the different parts that make up a boat? Test yourself with these boat part riddles.
Riddle #5
I’m the flat bottom of a boat. What am I?
Answer:
Hull
Riddle #6
I help move the boat through the water. What am I?
Answer:
Propeller
Riddle #7
I protect the boat from water below. What am I?
Answer:
Bilge
Riddle #8
I’m a pillar that supports the deck. What am I?
Answer:
Stanchion
Riddle #9
I’m a superior type of boat. What am I?
Answer:
Yacht
Riddle #10
I steer the boat’s direction. What am I?
Answer:
Rudder
Passengers and Crew Riddles
How much do you know about the different people on board a boat? Solve these riddles to find out.
Riddle #11
What do you call someone who’s hired to work on a boat?
Answer:
Crew
Riddle #12
If you’re on someone else’s boat just for fun, you are this kind of traveler. What are you?
Answer:
Passenger
Riddle #13
I’m in charge of the whole ship. Who am I?
Answer:
Captain
Riddle #14
I assist the captain by steering the ship, keeping records, handling money, and more. What is my job title?
Answer:
Purser
Riddle #15
I’m responsible for dealing with all onboard commercial operations like retail stores, casinos, photos, art auctions and more. What do they call me?
Answer:
Cruise director
Safety Equipment Riddles
Safety should be your top priority while out boating. Test your knowledge on required safety gear with these riddles.
Riddle #16
I’m thrown to someone in the water to rescue them. What am I?
Answer:
Life ring
Riddle #17
I’m a floating seat cushion that helps you stay afloat if you fall overboard. What am I?
Answer:
Life jacket
Riddle #18
I make loud noise signals in an emergency. What am I?
Answer:
Horn
Riddle #19
Use me to bail water out of your boat. What am I?
Answer:
Bilge pump
Riddle #20
I’m a waterproof, battery-powered light to help rescuers. What am I?
Answer:
Flare
Riddle #21
Use me if your boat starts to sink. I’m an inflatable raft. What am I?
Answer:
Life raft
Riddle #22
I smother fire onboard a boat. What am I?
Answer:
Fire extinguisher
Weather Riddles
The weather can make or break your boating trip. How savvy are you when it comes to boating and weather?
Riddle #23
I’m a hot, dry wind in the southwest states that can create dangerous boating conditions. What am I?
Answer:
Santa Ana winds
Riddle #24
Swells and wind waves mix together to form these steep, irregular waves that can be hazardous for boaters. What are they called?
Answer:
Chop
Riddle #25
This cold ocean current along the California coast frequently causes dense fog that’s dangerous for boaters. What is it?
Answer:
California current
Riddle #26
I’m a strong, offshore wind that typically occurs in the Gulf Coast region. What am I?
Answer:
Sou’wester
Sailing Riddles
Time to hoist the sails! Let’s see if you know this specialized sailing terminology and lingo.
Riddle #27
I’m the front corner of a fore-and-aft sail. What am I?
Answer:
Head
Riddle #28
I’m the aft corner of a fore-and-aft sail. Who am I?
Answer:
Clew
Riddle #29
I’m the bottom edge of a sail. What am I?
Answer:
Foot
Riddle #30
I’m the rear edge of a sail. What am I?
Answer:
Leech
Riddle #31
I’m a rope used to control the leeward edge of a sail. What am I?
Answer:
Sheet
Riddle #32
Sailing with the wind coming across the boat from the side. What point of sail is this?
Answer:
Beam reach
Riddle #33
Sailing with the wind coming over the rear quarter of the boat. What point of sail?
Answer:
Broad reach
Boat Weight and Flotation Riddles
Riddle #34
What provides about half the flotation for a fiberglass boat?
Answer:
Trapped air pockets
Riddle #35
Empty this tank to lighten the boat if needed. What is it?
Answer:
Water tank
Riddle #36
Remove this gear first if a boat is sinking. What is it?
Answer:
Anchor
Boat Motor Riddles
How well do you know your boat motor parts and functions? Take a guess at these riddles.
Riddle #37
I pump water through the engine to provide cooling. What am I?
Answer:
Water pump
Riddle #38
Check and change me regularly in your engine. I help the motor run smoothly. What am I?
Answer:
Motor oil
Riddle #39
Inside the engine, I supply the air/fuel mixture for combustion. What am I?
Answer:
Carburetor
Riddle #40
I indicate how fast the engine is turning. What gauge am I?
Answer:
Tachometer
Water Activities Riddles
Riddle #41
Hit these ramps fast to launch your boat high in the air! What are they?
Answer:
Wakeboard jumps
Riddle #42
Glide along these walls of water near jetties and piers. What are they?
Answer:
Standing waves
Riddle #43
Ride these big ocean waves with speed for a thrill ride! What are they?
Answer:
Breakers
Nautical Flags and Terms Riddles
Riddle #44
I’m the nautical signal flag flown on a boat requesting a harbor pilot to assist with coming into port. What color am I?
Answer:
Blue and yellow stripes
Riddle #45
If your anchor was “aweigh,” it would no longer be doing what?
Answer:
Touching the bottom
Riddle #46
Sailors gave this name to which horizontal surface on a boat?
Answer:
Deck
Riddle #47
What nautical term describes changing direction so the wind blows across the boat from the opposite side?
Answer:
Tacking
Knots and Hitches Riddles
Riddle #48
Tie me to quickly and temporarily connect a line to a post or ring. What useful knot am I?
Answer:
Clove hitch
Riddle #49
Use me to tie two lines of unequal size together. I’m the Sheet _______.
Answer:
Bend
Riddle #50
Rope fibers jam in me the tighter I get. I’m the most secure knot for tying a line to a pole. What knot am I?
Answer:
Constrictor knot
Pirate Riddles
Ahoy mateys! Let’s see if ye can solve these pirate puzzles before ye have to walk the plank!
Riddle #51
What does a pirate pay to park his ship?
Answer:
Buccaneers!
Riddle #52
How much did the pirate’s peg leg and hook cost?
Answer:
An arm and a leg!
Riddle #53
What has eight legs, eight hands and eight eyes?
Answer:
Eight pirates!
Riddle #54
What do pirates like to watch on TV?
Answer:
Arrrr-rated shows!
Boating History Riddles
Riddle #55
What boat was made famous by Thor Heyerdahl sailing across the Pacific Ocean in 1947?
Answer:
Kon-Tiki
Riddle #56
What type of vessel was the Mayflower that carried the Pilgrims to North America?
Answer:
A three-masted sailing ship
Riddle #57
What ship sunk in 1912 after striking an iceberg, causing over 1,500 deaths?
Answer:
RMS Titanic
Conclusion
How well were you able to navigate through those nautical puzzles? Boating has a language all its own full of specialized lingo, but the more time you spend messing about in boats, the more fluent you’ll become. Refer back to these riddles anytime you need a quick refresher on key boating terminology. And make sure to always remember the number one rule of the water: safety first! Now get out there, hoist your sails, rev your engine and see what adventure lies over the horizon. Fair winds!
