Two regular gamepads here (digital).
I press (1) button, and...the game closes.
Really a Xbox gamepad is required?
I assume the boat movement is kind of analog precission, right?
Viewing post in Bushido Boats jam comments
Indeed, the boats require analog control to operate! Unfortunately additional controller support wasn't attainable in the remaining time for the jam. Ignoring the buttons stated in the tutorial and experimenting with other buttons on your gamepad may bring you some success in playing, but alas only Xbox gamepads are officially supported.