Jos, when the weather gets better (& I have finished the modifications I am doing) make arrangements to come down to Swansea, we can have a poodle around the Bay in safety, & I can take you to a couple of marks where we can have a dangle for plaice, black bream etc. Use your common sense, & purchase as much safety equipment as you can afford, you wont go far wrong.
My small boat is like a mini NASA vessel with all the "boys toys" in miniature, but I have been boating for years & built up my collection, as the basic minimum I would say Lifejacket, Flares, handheld VHF radio (with 2 channels 16 & 67 is all you really NEED) I dont chat to people unless forced to!
Make sure you have a good main anchor (oversize for the boat wont hurt), & a set of oars if you only have 1 engine, (you can always row to the nearest shore & walk home).
As I said before I have all the other stuff GPS, Fishfinder/sounder, compasses (2)
spare anchors, fire extinguisher, aux engine +oars, spare ropes, throwing lines etc,etc,etc, & I wouldn't be without my "trani" & Radio 2! But it isn't ESSENTIAL!
Next investment Digital Signal device where you press a button & it automatically signals HM Coastguard with your details & position, some of my mates call me Mr Cautious the OTT man! so what, they all know who to call when they have a problem on the water!
Be sensible, use your 58yrs of experience & remember, when your car breaks down you can walk home, not so with your boat, enjoy your new new hobby, stay safe, & remember any time you spend checking your boat before you go out is time well invested.
Sorry for the length of the post, but you dont get many chances to rehearse the possible dangers, you can only try to eliminate as many as possible.
blueskip