In many states it is DUI and conviction can result in points on your driving record,,,,,,,,and even suspension of your drivers license. It can also have unexpected ramifications. The USCG can and will stop recreational boaters who are drunk. They will most often tow you to a nearby dock, issue you Federal Citations,,, (very expensive) revoke your operating a boat, even seizing your
boat.

Local Marine Police often have similar laws to those for motor vehicles, with a few more for boats.

Possibilities. For a small boat I might try moving the rudder from side to side so that it acts as a paddle.

If I was anchored I might try pulling the boat up to the anchor then letting it drift before letting the anchor go.
Both of these things can be done with your hands tied.
How about a sail, this could with some difficulty be set.

Actually there might not even need a motor, in fact a motor might be create more issues than you think. They tend to turn in on direction, so, to reset to the original position you'd need to push it down by hand?

Why not have a spring like a mouse trap? Or, a counter balance so when a simple latch is released, gravity would move it to the vertical.

As for your original question, there are very small fractional HP motors. Something as small as 1/10 HP could do this, A DC motor would be easiest to control, but I'd suggest you draw the wires , switches, connectors etc. and you will see it becomes more complex.

Your right there are tons of canals,,,, however most do not inter connect with other canals. Only a very few would take you inland too the everglades, etc. and there is no network that would be usable as you suggest

See: http://www.broward.org/EnvironmentAndGro...