Boating

Defaults: DX-5 or IQ-5
Boating/TL (DX/Average) is the skill to handle a specific type of small watercraft.Basic Set, p.180 For large watercraft see Shiphandling. Requires specialization.
== Specializations ==
=== Large Powerboat ===
Defaults: Motorboat-2, Sailboat-4, or Unpowered-4.
Defaults to Seamanship-4. Applies to boats with an enclosed cabin and an inboard motor. Includes cabin cruisers, houseboats, and patrol boats, such as the US Nasty and US Swift. Hefty boats. Used for both piracy and anti-piracy!
=== Motorboat ===
Defaults: Large Powerboat-2, Sailboat-3, or Unpowered-3. 
Applies to any open powerboat--notably speedboats and any of the boats used with the Sailboat or Unpowered specialty when outfitted with an outboard motor. Motorized boats, not as hefty. 
=== Sailboat ===
Defaults: Large Powerboat-4, Motorboat-3, or Unpowered-3.
"Boats with a sail, typically no more than one."
Note: in Low-Tech, the largest sailboat is the 50' Brig, with 15 crew and 10 passengers. This isn't huge compared to ships of the line, but it's certainly large compared to the average 4-person player team! Boating (Sailboat) is a potent skill for any proper seafarer. It's usually combined with Unpowered for oar-powered boats that are launched from a ship.
Pre-gunpowder sailing warriors will want muscle-powered ranged weapons, such as bows. After gunpowder, cannons take to the seas!
=== Unpowered ===
Defaults: Large Powerboat-4, Motorboat-3, or Sailboat-3.
The oldest of watercraft skills, used since ancient times to propel small, muscle-powered watercraft, be it by paddles, oars, or poles. This skill includes canoes, rowboats, and rafts. Just like Sailboat, this skill can be used for larger vessels, such as the 60' War Canoe, with 30 rowers.
Critical failures on Boating may result in a capsize, dunking occupants into the water!Dungeon Fantasy 16: Wilderness Adventures, p.29
== Modifiers ==
* -2 for an unfamiliar boat within your specialty (e.g., a kayak when you’re used to a rowboat)
* -3 or worse for foul weather, navigational hazards, etc.
* Some water elementals such as the Whirlpool and Lord of the Tides can use their powers to counteract penalties for foul weather, allowing smooth sailingDungeon Fantasy 16: Wilderness Adventures, p.15
* Rough water can have up to -5!
== Player Character Use ==
Player characters might use this skill while paddling down rapids, maneuvering war sloops, or generally trying to not sink during cinematically foul weather.
==Divergent Technology comment==
An interesting situation is regarding spaceships that are modified sea going ships such as the Star Galleon and Ether Clipper which might allow the use of the Boating skill in certain settings.
== In Talents ==
* Boating is included in the Driver's Reflexes talent.Action 1: Heroes, p.19
==See Also==
* For larger, more complex vessels, see the Crewman skill
* For nautical-related dangers for Action adventures, see N is for NauticalAction 5: Dictionary of Danger, p.23-24
* List of Skills
== References ==
Category:Skills
Category:TL Skills