What are all the dangers to look out for when traveling less than a mile from the sea coast in a 18′ 1986 Renke motorboat, and what’s the best way to be safe when these dangers arrive?
I have no experience and am not familiar with the jargon.

I do not understand what this means, but it seems important "IF THE WAVE IS GOING LEFT CUT UR BOW AT ANGLE OPPOSITE. SLICE NOT RIDE"

Do I need any sort of license, or legal boat ID for when I purchase the boat?

What else do I need, other than: 5 gallons of fresh water, fishing license, flares, VHS radio, fog-horn, life-vest, a compass, flashlight, wool sweaters (possibly a wet-suit?), sun-glasses?, wide-brim straw hat?, anchor?, sea-anchor, and spare rope?

If the coast-guard pulls me over, what do I need to show them?

What should I do if a storm starts coming towards me, and how can I tell if there’s a storm coming towards me? Should I head in when I see force 5 conditions? What’s the main indicator that it’s getting very dangerous, and I should head in?

Is it safe to speed around the coasts of NC if there is a tropical storm (like Erika & Jimena) off the coast of Puerto Rico?

How are currents dangerous, and how do I look out for them? Can the currents quickly get strong for no apparent reason and pull me further out to sea with such force that my boat cannot get to land fast enough?

Will I be safe as long as I can see the land with my naked eyes in Force 3 conditions? How far out am I when I can barely see land?

How does one survive in an 18′ boat, within visibility of the coast, if a big storm jumps up on me quickly? How does one use a sea anchor?

Wont a sea-anchor limit my ability to cruise around the big waves in a storm?

If I see a big wave "coming towards me" (like when I’m on the beach), should I try to steer around it? What if I’m out of gas? Will I have any control over the boat if I’m out of gas & in a storm?

Do most storms typically blow over in 2 to 4 hours? If so, why is it safer to ride it out, than to try to get the boat to land?

How should I land the boat if there’s a storm coming and no ramp nearby? Can I just drive it straight in to the sand and release an anchor?

Can I use my 45 lbs barbell for an anchor instead of a real one? Would it do basically the same job?

How do I unload the boat from the trailer, or put it back in if it’s just me? How far in to the water can the trailer go? Should about 1/3 of the trailer be under-water? Then I can start the motor and drive the boat out a few feet and anchor it, then park the truck and hurry back to the boat and hope that the tide has not either taken it far out or pushed it in to land? Or should I run the boat on to the beech just enough so that I can push it in to the ocean? Can I push such a heavy boat back in to the ocean if there’s enough water for me to get the boat stuck in some sand in the first place?

Does it matter if I enter, ride, or leave on high tide or low tide?

How do I recognize a jetty?

What conditions would a boat like this 18′ 1986 Renken be able to withstand?

Is it OK to make this trip alone?

What are all of the dangers that I missed, and possible dangers, and possible things I might need, and techniques and solutions that could save my life when I run in to dangerous situations?

Thank you
I’ve read about many people who have gone out 20 miles from the coast in such small boats. I understand there is danger involved, that’s why I want to learn as much as I can before I go. Is it not safer if I am closer to land, and the weather is good?

Just last night I emailed a guy who went out 20 miles in such a boat in the ocean, and he said it was safe and easy.

I have gone out sailing before, but it was when I was around 10 years old. I have no one to show me the ropes. I will head in if there is any indication of rough weather, but it would be helpful to me to have these questions answered here before I go. I fully intend to find a good book… and learn as much as I can. This is not a suicide mission, but neither am I going to let fear hold me back.

Well, unlike a lot of people you are happy to admit that you DON"T know everything – so as far as I’m concerned you are well above the average to start with.

There is a lot to know, and don’t accept the arrogance of strangers with lots more experience that somehow you are inferior or dangerous – it is precisely because you acknowledge your shortcomings that you are not. Everyone starts from a position of ignorance. Everyone is taught by patient instruction and safe practical use in a protected and safe area. Some of us just start earlier and with unbelievably competent teachers. I went to sea at 10 days of age, and was taught boat handling from the age of 5 by Cape Horners and Master Mariners – then it was expected that anyone on a boat no matter the sex or age would be as competent as possible. Today there are excellent teaching facilities staffed by qualified and licensed instructors that can teach you all that you want to know, and how to do it right. You can find these in local marinas and docks, often advertising in boating magazines and such – as well you could just ask your local Coast Guard authority for a recommendation. If you go to a marina full of live aboard inhabitants or a boating club and ask for advice on where to get good training you will get more suggestions than you’ll know what to do with!

But trust me on this one – you are not a danger to yourself or anyone else when you have identified a personal lack and are actively seeking to remedy this in a sensible manner. The questions you ask are profound and need much more than a flippant reply here can give you. Books can be useful as an adjunct to practical instruction – I would again ask the Coast Guard for the recommended publications towards your initial training, as this will not confuse you with too much too soon.

Welcome to boating, I hope it becomes as enjoyable for you as it is for most of us.