What is the fixed height above the waterline when the mast is lowered?

What is the fixed height above the waterline when the mast is lowered?

• A. 6 feet 0 inches
• B. 5 feet 6 inches
• C. 8 feet 10-3/4 inches
• D. 12 feet 0-1/2 inches

Answer: (B)

The main idea is how tall the boat stands above the water when the mast is not up. When you lower the mast, the spar no longer contributes to the boat’s height, so the overall height above the waterline becomes a fixed measurement based on the hull and permanent deck structures. For many boats in this context, that fixed height is five feet six inches. This value is used to judge whether you can pass under bridges or through overhead obstacles with the mast lowered. The other heights are higher than what you’d have with the mast down, which would only occur if the mast were up or if there were additional tall structures above the deck. So five feet six inches is the appropriate fixed height when the mast is lowered.

The main idea is how tall the boat stands above the water when the mast is not up. When you lower the mast, the spar no longer contributes to the boat’s height, so the overall height above the waterline becomes a fixed measurement based on the hull and permanent deck structures. For many boats in this context, that fixed height is five feet six inches. This value is used to judge whether you can pass under bridges or through overhead obstacles with the mast lowered.

The other heights are higher than what you’d have with the mast down, which would only occur if the mast were up or if there were additional tall structures above the deck. So five feet six inches is the appropriate fixed height when the mast is lowered.