[brk-lnt]

Spend a day at the launch ramp in Meredith watching people put in and take out.

Buy the Chapmans Guide to Piloting and read it. It's thick, but you can get through most of the important stuff between now and spring.

Learn to pay lots of attention on the water. Know your danger zone, and basic right of way rules. Accept the fact that many others boaters will NOT know and observe these rules.

Have a boat mechanic get your boat ready for spring put in. Most of the maintenance items are easy, but it makes sense to pay an expert to ensure things are in proper order so you don't have to worry about that also. Ask him to explain to you the basics, like checking outdrive lubrication.

Expect that at some point you will likely get into a panic scenario. When this happens stay calm and think the situation through and you will probably come out of it ok.

For your first trip, it should be just you and the wife, and/or a competent co-captain. Practice basic maneuvers and get a feel for how your boat responds. This trip will be shortly after the mechanic above has checked out the boat for you. Make a note of what is 'normal' for sounds, smells and gauges.

Take it easy your first year. Don't rush to pull skiers and tubers or otherwise go too far out of the bounds of basic navigation. Go out at least once at night to see the difference between operating during the day and at night. It will be memorable experience (hopefully in a good way)

That's all I can think of for now.