Project feasibility help

I am looking for some input on project feasibility and hope people can chime in with their 2 cents and any tips you can offer.

The project and current ideas I have in mind is as follows:

• A boat capable of following me as I float down the river in my kayak. The boat would need to be able to determine when to turn directions and speed up/slow down according to my proximity. I have experience writing a PID algorithm in Python and experience with the Arduino and it's environment. I would be willing to do this project with either board.

My hang-up is what sensors to use to determine distance and direction between boat and kayak. I am also wondering how I could power everything on board the boat.

Thank you for any help/guidance!!