by 
Spixxy
ANSWERS: 8
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Assuming small to medium sized motor boats in this answer. Not brakes, per se, but boats do have the ability to actively slow down. Most boat motors have a reverse that can be used at any time. A fast moving boat slows rapidly once the throttle is released. But it will drift for a long way once it has slowed. The boat pilot/captain/driver can throw the boat's motor into reverse to slow or stop the boat entirely. In general, piloting a craft on water is considerably different than piloting on dry land. "Drift" is pretty much unavoidable and, as such, it is the pilots job to compensate for drift when turning and stopping. Even when stopped, a boat will still drift due to current or wind. So, boating is more about figuring out where you want to be and what you need to do to get there and stay there. Sometimes that means going forward slowly and sometimes it means putting the boat in reverse to cause the boat to stay in the same place. Sail boat and non-motorized boats are a whole different matter. In many cases, it is impossible to stop such a craft because of winds or currents.
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Another technique for stopping a smaller boat is called broadsiding, used to stop from high speed. The helmsperson cuts throttle to idle and quickly turns full lock in either direction. The result is that the boat basically flicks 90 degrees to present the side of its hull to the direction of movement. I learnt this on a floodboat rescue course - the boat stopped very quickly. Make sure the passengers are prepared though...
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In a yacht, it can be brought to nearly a halt by turning the bow into the wind at the last moment and letting the sails flap. And then quickly furling the sails so that when the yacht drifts off to one side or the other, the sails do not catch the wind again and force the yacht to move again. This method can be used when coming into a dock, jetty or pier oor on the a swing mooring.
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From my knowledge, no, the way to "brake" the boat is to put it in reverise fast then up to neutreal.
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... add this to the first 4 answers ... No one mentioned the ANCHOR !!!
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Other than reversing direction and balancing between going fore and aft, and throwing out an anchor (could be what's called a sea anchor, also, which slows down a moving boat) no. The water is too full of motion to get a boat to 'stop'.
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No. To stop or slow down a boat you have a few options. Stop the engines, kick astern (reverse the propeller), point her into the wind/ current, stream a drogue or sea-anchor, drop your anchor.
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Hmm! How could you stop without them. Just make sure you have them checked on a regular basis!
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