Boating

This proficiency allows the character to pilot any small boat, such as a kayak or canoe, operating it at maximum speed. It also allows make minor repairs and improvements in these boats, such as waterproofing them and patching holes. A successful proficiency check enables the character to handle the craft in treacherous situations; for instance, maneuvering the boat though choppy water without capsizing it, or avoiding collisions when guiding it through a narrow channel choked with rocks or ice. Note that while the navigation and seamanship proficiencies deal with ships in oceans, seas, and other large bodies of water, the boating proficiency is confined to small craft on rivers, lakes, on oceans close to shore, and over similar terrain, usually on relatively calm waters.

Note that this proficiency is distinct from Navigation and Seamanship, which apply to ships on oceans, seas, or at least large lakes, rather than small craft on smaller lakes and rivers.

Barbarians: A barbarian may not take this proficiency unless water vessels are common in his homeland.

[Complete Ranger's Handbook]