On the whole, boating is one of the most relaxing and enjoyable pastimes. But if you're new to the sport or moving up to a larger-size boat, you may experience a bout of nerves when faced with a situation that's new or unusual. And, of course, the more people you have watching you when you're faced with an out-of-the-ordinary situation, the more nerve-wracking it becomes to deal with that situation. You can't always avoid these circumstances, but you can reduce the stress involved and keep the intimidation level to a minimum. It's all a matter of preparation and practice. Here's a list of four of boating's most intimidating situations and how to handle those situations like a pro.

PILOTING A NEW BOAT
Whether it's your first time ever at the helm of a boat or your first time at the helm of a bigger boat than you're used to, taking charge can be daunting. Two things will make this easier for you: Ask for help, and take your time. If you're not used to a boat, don't go out alone. Bring a companion who's experienced with boats of similar size (your dealership will likely be glad to provide an experienced captain/trainer), and put that experience to use. Before you take the helm, have your companion explain the helm station and how everything works. Then, before you touch anything, take the position and familiarize yourself with all the bells and whistles. Look out at all four points - bow, starboard, stern and port - to get an idea of how much room you need to make even the slightest maneuvers. Then, with your companion close at hand, engage the engine.

When you put the boat in gear, DO IT GENTLY. Use idle speed, and as the boat slowly proceeds, gently turn the wheel to get used to the weight and size of the vessel. As you get the feel of the boat, increase the throttle just a bit, and repeat the process. If you feel like you're getting a little ahead of yourself, ease off the throttle and start again. Don't hesitate to hand over the helm for a demonstration of anything you're not familiar or comfortable with. Devote a full day to this process, and by sunset, you'll feel like you're ready to take that new boat anywhere.

DOCKING
For new boaters, docking can be one of the more intimidating aspects of boating. The same goes for those who have moved up to a bigger boat and may not yet feel comfortable with the handling characteristics of a larger vessel. Even experienced captains sometimes blanch at the idea of docking when the winds or currents are strong. Sometimes when you do everything right, it can feel like Mother Nature is trying to make things go wrong. The secrets to success in this situation are preparation, practice and patience.

Prepare yourself by doing some reading. Chapman Practical Boat Handling: For Every Situation, by Boating World's Dave Kelley, with Greg Jones, is recommended reading for obvious reasons. And Boat Docking: Close Quarters Maneuvering for Small Craft, by Charles T. Low, and the accompanying website, www.boatdocking.com, are excellent resources.

After reading up, practice. Find an empty cove on a windy day, and drop a couple of anchored buoys to use as an imaginary dock. Then you can safely practice your technique in a low-risk, low-stress environment. Remember to take stock of the situation well before attempting to dock, and be sure to deploy as many fenders as possible for added safety.

Finally, be patient. In rough conditions, things can change suddenly, rendering your current approach unsafe. If that happens, bail out and start again. A successful docking is a safe one, whether it's on the first try or the 15th.

MAINTENANCE
As more aspects of our boats' engines and electronics are operated by computer chips, and as even more of our boats are operated electronically, we find that much more maintenance has to be done by service pros with specialized training and equipment. Even so, boaters need to know how to perform at least basic repairs and maintenance. The keys here are expanding your knowledge and doing no harm.

Many dealerships offer courses in basic maintenance, often at no charge if you're an existing customer. Many community and junior colleges also offer basic maintenance courses. If you're not in a position to take advantage of these opportunities, there are resources available online, including the indispensable BoatSafe.com (www.boatsafe.com), Sea Ray's Maintenance Tips (www.searay.com/maintenance_tips), and Boating World's own website, www.boatingworld.com.

While basic maintenance (cleaning the bilge, winterizing, etc.) is fairly simple if you have the right tools and a little knowledge, it's important to know, and be willing to admit, when a project is beyond your knowledge or ability. This doesn't mean that you can skip on the winterizing because you're not comfortable with it, but there's no shame in admitting a job is too much and handing it over to a pro. With the increased complexity of marine systems, it's possible to make things worse if you do the wrong thing, so assess yourself and the situation honestly, and remember the Hippocratic Oath: "First, do no harm."

TRAILERING
Getting your boat to and from the water can be the most stressful and intimidating part of boating. But you can reduce the stress and intimidation by improving your technique through training and practice. First, be sure to read Boating World's annual Trailering Guide for practical and specific tips covering virtually every situation that may arise while towing. Also, look into specialized towing classes, such as those offered by MarineMax in their "Women On Water" classes (sorry, guys - you have to look elsewhere).

When towing, practice really does breed confidence and competence, especially when it comes to close-quarters maneuvering as required at crowded launch ramps. Don't, however, make the launch ramp your practice facility. Instead, find a large, empty parking lot. (Try the outer reaches of your local mall's parking lot, or an office park lot on a weekend, for example.) Bring a couple of cones (you can get them at any sporting goods store), and set them up as guideposts representing your ramp target. This way, you can practice reversing, turning and other maneuvers until you feel confident enough in your mastery to try the real thing.

There is, by the way, one resource that's available and perfect for every boater, from first-timers to ancient mariners - the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary boating courses. These are taught throughout the United States, by "knowledgeable instructors committed to the highest standards  of the U.S. Coast Guard," according to the website (http://nws.cgaux.org/visitors/pe_visitor/index.html). You can go online and find a class near you or even sign up for an interactive, online, self-paced course. To improve skills and knowledge, this is where every boater should start.

Regardless of what aspect of boating you find most stressful or intimidating, you'll be able to handle the situation with confidence if you take the time to learn (either on your own or in a more structured environment), and then practice your skills before actually getting out on the water. That way, when you do get out on the water, it will be the fun, relaxing time you expected when you decided to become a boater.