Before you get started ... park in the parking garage Tronchetto, it's pretty secure and cheap.
(Go
HERE for more information about it)
Then take the 'people mover' over to Venice. The 'people mover' is 1 Euro per person.
To get the most of your 'boat' experience take Boat #1 to Piazza San Marco, where St. Marc's Basilica and Doge's Palace are located. This boat stops at almost every stop but it has great scenery and tons of history to see. Below are some of the sites you see.
the market