More likely to be coal-powered? Steam will be the means of transmission of the power the power generated by burning the coal from the boiler to the cylinder(s) of the engine.
A few more for you. Offshore power boats from about a mile: Offshore Powerboat racing by Mike Kanssen, on Flickr Only about half a mile: Lifeboat action by Mike Kanssen, on Flickr and somewhat closer: Waverley's Paddles by Mike Kanssen, on Flickr Hopefully this counts (as a raft?) kite surfing at Clacton by Mike Kanssen, on Flickr
Torbay lifeboat by spinno posted Sep 3, 2020 at 9:32 PM returning from rescuing a chap who'd had a heart attack on Sunday
Mine and my partner's little narrowboat 'Henrietta' on the River Avon at Evesham last Saturday evening... Opp Rowing Club by Tim Heathfield, on Flickr
Thanks for your comment Steve. Built in 1976, but with a new engine and refit in 2005. The interior is tired and needs replacing but the hull seems sound enough and the engine is good. We bought the boat last year and have slowly been getting things done, broken down a few times though and we’ve had a few scrapes and 'near misses' as well as some good fun out on the river.
60 miles in nothing. My dad kept his boat in Holland for quite a few years. A ferry trip plus at least 100 mile driving needed to get there, yet it still worked out cheaper than the local marina if only visiting half a dozen times a year!
I haven’t seen a powerboat in absolutely ages. I guess they need certain waters to operate “safely” in, though it never seemed very safe to me.
They had ONE round of the offshore power boats just off the coast here ten years ago. Sadly a competitor died in that, so the fantastic photo opportunity was never repeated. IIRC this shot through my telescope (effectively a 1000mm f/16 when zoomed all the way out) was one of the main class on the way out. just missed! by Mike Kanssen, on Flickr I could only see the plume of spray as the crossed the finish (several miles offshore). The lesser categories raced only a mile or so off so I've got more reasonable shots of them: Offshore Powerboat racing by Mike Kanssen, on Flickr I think the fatality was from a similar class, but my kids had dragged me back home before it happened, and I only got to hear of it later. As always it seems the unlucky man was one of the more popular racers.