Stability is very important when boarding a small boat. Wearing a life jacket when boarding is a common-sense safety precaution. Passengers should steady the boat from the dock or shoreline while the operator boards. Once in, the operator should steady the boat for others. When boarding, everyone should keep his weight as low and as close to the boat's center as possible. Holding onto the gunwales is the best way for boarders to keep steady.

Equipment and gear should be loaded onto the boat one item at a time, handing it to someone already on board. The load should be secured so it doesn't shift.

Boat trim (the way a boat floats) is vital in a small boat. Weight should be distributed in the boat to keep the bow light. Sudden, sharp turns should be avoided and the boat’s capacity must never be exceeded.

If a small, open boat capsizes, everyone should take a head count, check for injury and stay with the boat. Most small boats have enough flotation to keep them from sinking. If possible, the boat should be turned upright and the water bailed out. It can then be paddled to shore. It is also possible to paddle a swamped boat to shore. The golden rule if a boat capsizes is for everyone to stay with the boat.

Falling overboard is a major contributing factor to boating fatalities. Avoid standing up in small open motorboats, canoes, and kayaks. Keep weight distribution low and avoid leaning beyond the boat's gunwale. The best means of survival is to already have a life jacket on and stay with the boat.

Keep a sharp lookout when traveling on waters that have shallow areas to avoid running aground. Navigational charts, buoys and depth finders can assist in this task. If you run aground and the impact does not appear to cause a leak, follow these steps to refloat the boat:

• Do not put the boat in reverse. Instead, stop the engine and lift the out-drive.
• Shift the weight to the area farthest from the point of impact.
• Try to shove off the rock or bottom.
• If this fails, contact help.

All boats handle differently and inexperienced operators need hands-on practice with a capable teacher to become proficient in handling their boat. A motorboat is most easily maneuvered going against the current or wind. When moving with the current, the boat must be going faster than the speed of the current to maintain control and maneuverability. Boats do not have brakes, so to quickly reduce speed, the motor should be put in reverse and power applied. Stopping in this manner requires practice. Consult the owner's manual for the boat and motor for proper procedures.

Docking is a very difficult maneuver, especially for the new boater. Learning to dock also requires practice with a capable teacher. When docking, a boater must keep in mind that the boat’s steering mechanism is located at the stern (back), which will move first, followed by the bow (front of the boat).

Depending on the situation, docking procedures vary. Fenders, mooring lines, a boat hook and a heaving line should be ready. The approach to the dock should be planned. If possible, the boat should be headed into the current and/or wind to slow down and to more easily control it. A common method when docking in current is to slip the boat sideways bit by bit toward the dock, pier or slip. When docking correctly, the boat feels like it is moving in slow motion. After docking, a line should be secured from the dock to the bow of the boat. The current will hold the boat against the dock while the remaining lines are tied off.