Gareth, any chance on giving us a clue on what you want to know! Let us see if we can get started, does it have an engine attached? If so what is the name of it, is it 2 stroke or 4 stroke? How fast do you want to go? how big an engine will it safely take? does it have an auxillary small engine? if not, do you have a set of oars (& rowlocks) in case the motor konks out on you! Do you have an anchor with chain (the same length as the boat) & rope (~ 3 times the depth you expect to anchor in) do you have a spare anchor in case you lose the first? Do you have flares, do you have a VHF radio (a hand held is cheap as chips & can save your a**e if you get into trouble). Do you have a compass & a chart of your local area & if so can you read it? If the fog came down could you relate your compass to your chart & find your way home.
I know it sounds a lot, & it sounds daunting, but these are the VERY BASICS you need to have & know, to be able to go afloat with confidence. I have'nt mentioned GPS, First Aid Kit, Fire Extinguishers, radar reflectors, depth sounders/fish finders etc, etc, because some of them may be considered "optional extras".
As you can see, safe boating can involve a lot of kit, much of which can be obtained quite reasonably from Boat Jumbles, & via e-bay, but once you have started you will want more & more "gadgets".
A boat has been described as "a waterproof container, into which you continually pour money", an excellent description!
Now you ask away, & we will try to answer!
blueskip