Step 1: Open minecraft on 1.8.8
Step 2: Find or make a lake, ocean or river.
Step 3: /summon Zombie ~ ~1 ~ {Riding:{id:"Boat",Type:"oak"}}
Step 4: Go on survival mode
Step 5: Look how the Zombie can control the boat

Step 6: Close minecraft and open on 16w04a snapshot
Step 7: Find or make a lake, ocean or river.
Step 8: /summon Boat ~ ~1 ~ {Type:"oak",Passengers:[

]}
Step 9: Go on survival mode
Step 10: Look how the Zombie can not control the boat

Proofs:

A zombie control a boat and track the player. Minecraft:1.8.8
http://minecraft.gamepedia.com/Boat#Trivia
http://minecraft.gamepedia.com/14w06a
A zombie can not control a boat and can not track the player. Minecraft-snapshot:16w04a