On Vanilla Minecraft. If you hold shift while looking at a boat or minecart. Nothing happens. It prevents right-click abilities. Such as Bows, Splash Potions, Equipping Armors, etc. which gets annoying, If you want to do right click ability you first have to get out of the Boat or a Minecart to be able to work. But it won't work when you looking at it.
Fixed for Minecarts in 16w36a, Boats are still an issue.