Moving a boat you're standing on

You could release a lot of compressed air in one direction (what a jet engine does).

Just walking from one side to the other will move a floating boat - it will rock in the water.

Yes, just fart in one direction, that will move the boat( ever so slightly.)

TW

Reactionless drive

You can if you have something to throw.

Safety equipment, to be carried in all boats, should include a can of beans for use in case of engine failure :-)

totly

Yes, of course.

Consider a boy sitting on his trolley* in 1958 on the flat pavement outside his parents' council house. He slowly leans forward then quickly leans back. The trolley inches forward.

Consider that same boy, sitting alone in his dad's boat on the glassy surface of Buttermere in 1962. He has lost his oars. He slowly leans back then quickly leans forward. The boat inches forward.

Bill

I am the "you" in your question.

I will use an oar, a pole, a paddle, a rope, a motor or any multitude of objects.

I have not touched the water.

Did.

Why would wheels make any difference? Same answer as before. I still wouldn't have touched the water. (You worded the question, not me.)

Without what?

just commenting on the silliness of the comment(ask Newton) unless it was a joke

It was tongue in cheek, but a 20 mm gatling gun has a LOT of recoile and will move a small boat until the ammo runs out.

Indeed. Amazed no one has suggested just starting the engine though. Easy to do without touching the water. ;-)

Tim

How do you know it has an engine? How do you know the engine works?

I suggested "oar, a pole, a paddle, a rope, a motor or any multitude of objects" which would allow a person to move the boat without touching the water.

Heck, you can use your hands if near a dock, tree, rocks, etc.

So did I, before anyone else did too. But you both play silly buggers with kill files.

Wow, not one of you understands the question. THINK ABOUT FRICTION, like I said in the first place. Stop cheating, no motors, no engines, no oars, can you budge it by running up and down, yes or no?!

Would you get more propulsion if you lit the fart? We light rockets to go into space, why not just release the gas?

No, from one end to the other. You can do it with something that sticks to the ground. Imagine a large sledge.

refer Newtons law.

Yes, according to Newtons law a 20 mm gatling gun would have a log of thrust and it does.