Towed – either by humans or animals from a river or canal bank (or in very shallow water, by walking on the sea or river bed) or by another vessel.
Powered by machinery, such as internal combustion engines, steam engines or by batteries and an electric motor.
Any one vessel may use more than one of these methods at different times or in combination.[10]: 33
A number of large vessels are usually referred to as boats. Submarines are a prime example.[11] Other types of large vessels which are traditionally called boats include Great Lakes freighters, riverboats, and ferryboats.[12] Though large enough to carry their own boats and heavy cargo, these vessels are designed for operation on inland or protected coastal waters.