A steam boat was described and patented by English physician John Allen in 1729. It soon became popular. However, boats powered by a petrol engine were only introduced in the 19th century.
This was achieved following the invention of the internal combustion engine. The earliest boat to be powered by a petrol engine was tested on the Neckar River by Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach in 1886.
It is said that the first powerboat was designed and built by the Priestman Brothers in Hull, England. The company began trials of their first motorboat in 1888. Priestman’s boats were used to tow cargo along canals.
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