Seamanship, Ropework, Anchoring and Boat Handling
Ropework
Know the difference between natural (three-strand) and synthetic (braid-on-braid, Dyneema) rope. Learn the bowline, round turn and two half hitches, clove hitch, reef knot and rolling hitch. Understand the terms bitter end, standing part, bight and turn. A bowline does not slip and is easy to untie after loading; a reef knot joins two lines of equal size and should never be used for a load-bearing join where it can capsize.
Anchoring
Understand scope - typically 3:1 to 5:1 for chain and more for rope - and why more scope improves holding. Learn anchor types (Danforth, Bruce, plough/CQR, Delta) and their best holding grounds. When anchoring: approach into wind or current, slow down, lower the anchor, pay out scope while reversing to set it, then take a transit to confirm the anchor is not dragging. The swinging circle is the radius in which the boat will swing - allow for it and for other anchored vessels.
Boat handling
Understand pivot point (roughly at the propeller for a single-screw vessel going ahead, forward of it going astern), the effect of prop walk (sideways thrust of the propeller), transverse thrust and rudder effect. Learn springing off a berth, ferry gliding in a crosswind and Mediterranean mooring. When manoeuvring in a marina, keep speed low and use short bursts of power.
Traps
Questions often ask how much scope to veer given a depth and freeboard - remember to add the height of the bow roller above the water. Also remember that a boat with a right-handed propeller kicks her stern to starboard when going astern.