Question 119 Deck General

70% to pass

A ketch-rigged sailing vessel is sailing to windward with the wind about 50° on the port bow. All the sails are set and drawing properly. Which statement is TRUE?

A If you slack the main sheet, the lift to drag ratio of the mainsail will increase.

B If you strike the mainsail, the center of effort of the whole rig will move down.

C If you slack the mizzen sheet, the center of effort will move aft.

D If you sheet in the mainsail without changing course, the vessel will heel farther and speed up.

AI Explanation

The correct answer is B) If you strike the mainsail, the center of effort of the whole rig will move down. This is correct because when sailing a ketch-rigged vessel into the wind, the mainsail is the primary driver of the boat. Striking or lowering the mainsail will shift the center of effort of the entire rig downwards, reducing heeling and potentially increasing speed. The other options are incorrect: A) Slacking the mainsheet would decrease lift-to-drag ratio; C) Slacking the mizzen sheet would move the center of effort aft, not down; and D) Sheeting in the mainsail without changing course would increase heeling and speed, not decrease them.

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