Valheim Boats: Full Sailing Guide (1.0)

This guide covers everything you need to know about boats in Valheim 1.0: how to build them, how to sail them properly, how to navigate, and how to avoid the most common sinking mistakes. By the end, you’ll be able to cross oceans, transport cargo, and explore new biomes with confidence.

What You’ll Need

• A workbench (for building the boat)
• A crafting station near water (the boat is built in the water, not on land)
• Materials for the boat you want (see step 1)
• A hammer (to repair the boat)
• A hoe (optional, to flatten a beach for easier boarding)

Step-by-Step

1. Choose your boat. There are three types in Valheim 1.0:
   • Raft: 10 Wood, 6 Leather Scraps. Slow, fragile, only for the very first crossing. Not recommended for open ocean.
   • Karve: 30 Fine Wood, 10 Deer Hide, 20 Resin, 10 Bronze Nails. A solid early-game boat. Faster than the raft, can carry 4 inventory slots.
   • Longship: 40 Fine Wood, 40 Iron Nails, 10 Deer Hide, 10 Ancient Bark. The best boat: fast, durable, and carries 18 inventory slots. Ideal for hauling ore.
2. Build the boat. Stand in shallow water (waist-deep) and open your hammer menu (press B). Select the boat you want and place it. It will appear as a construction site. Hit it with your hammer to finish building. It will float once complete.
3. Board the boat. Walk up to the side and press E to board. You’ll be at the helm. The Karve and Longship have a mast, a rudder (the steering wheel), and a bench for passengers.
4. Understand the controls.
   • W – Raise sail (increase speed)
   • S – Lower sail (decrease speed)
   • A/D – Turn left/right (only works when the boat is moving)
   • Space – Reverse (only works when the sail is fully lowered)
   • Shift – Sprint (only works when the sail is fully lowered, gives a small speed boost)
5. Set your sail. Press W to raise the sail. The wind icon on your minimap shows wind direction. If the wind is behind you (blowing in the same direction you’re heading), you’ll go fast. If it’s against you, you’ll move slowly or not at all. You can still sail into the wind by tacking (zigzagging), but it’s slow.
6. Steer. Use A and D to turn. The boat turns better when the sail is partially lowered. To turn sharply, lower the sail completely and use A/D.
7. Watch your stamina. Raising/lowering the sail and steering does not use stamina, but sprinting (Shift) does. If you run out of stamina while sprinting, you’ll stop moving.
8. Navigate. Use the minimap and the boss stones (the large standing stones near spawn) to orient yourself. The wind direction is shown on the minimap as a small arrow. You can also use the sun and stars to navigate at night (sun rises in the east, sets in the west).
9. Dock your boat. When you reach land, lower the sail completely (press S) and let the boat glide to shore. You can also use Space to reverse to stop. Be careful not to beach it too hard – the boat can take damage from hitting rocks or land at high speed.
10. Repair your boat. Use your hammer (press B to open the hammer menu, then right-click to repair). You can repair the boat while standing on it or next to it. Keep it repaired – a damaged boat sinks faster.
11. Transport cargo. To load items, open your inventory (Tab) and drag items into the boat’s inventory (the chest icon on the boat’s inventory screen). You can access the boat’s inventory by pressing E while standing on the boat (near the mast).
12. Dismount. Press E again to get off. Make sure you’re near shallow water or land, or you’ll fall into the water and may drown.

Common Mistakes

• Sailing against the wind. Trying to go straight into the wind is a waste of time. You’ll barely move. Instead, tack (zigzag) at a 45-degree angle to the wind.
• Beaching at full speed. Hitting shore with the sail up can damage your boat significantly. Always lower the sail well before you reach land.
• Forgetting to repair. A boat with low HP sinks faster and can be destroyed by a single rock hit. Repair after every voyage.
• Leaving the boat unattended. Monsters (like Greydwarfs) can attack your boat if it’s parked near shore. Always keep an eye on it or build a small dock with a workbench to keep it safe.
• Not checking the wind before leaving. If the wind is against you, you might be stuck for a long time. Check the wind direction on the minimap before setting out.

Tips

• Use the Longship for ore. The Longship has 18 inventory slots, making it ideal for transporting iron, copper, and tin.
• Build a dock. A simple dock (wooden floor extending into the water) makes boarding and loading much easier. It also protects your boat from waves.
• Carry a hoe. Flatten a beach area to create a natural ramp for your boat. This prevents damage when docking.
• Use the wind to your advantage. Plan your route so that the wind is at your back. If you’re going to an island, try to approach from the side where the wind is blowing.
• Bring a spare hammer. If your boat is damaged far from base, you can repair it with a hammer and materials in your inventory.
• Keep food on board. If you get stranded, you’ll need food to survive while you wait for the wind to change or build a new boat.

Troubleshooting

• Boat won’t move. Check if the sail is up (press W). If the wind is against you, you’ll move very slowly. Try tacking or wait for the wind to change.
• Boat is taking damage. You’re likely hitting rocks, land, or sea monsters (like Serpents). Lower the sail and steer away. If a Serpent attacks, sail to shore or fight it (arrows work well).
• Boat is sinking. If the boat’s HP reaches 0, it sinks. If it’s sinking, jump off and swim to shore. You can retrieve items from the water, but the boat is lost. To avoid this, repair regularly and avoid rough seas.
• Can’t board the boat. You might be too far from the edge. Walk closer to the side of the boat and press E. If the boat is bobbing, wait for it to come close to you.
• Stuck on a rock. If you run aground, try reversing (Space) or turning while lowering the sail. If that doesn’t work, get out and push the boat (walk into it).
• Lost at sea. Use the minimap to orient yourself. Look for landmarks (mountains, large trees). If you’re completely lost, sail in a straight line – you’ll eventually hit land.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I sail at night? Yes, but visibility is poor. Use the stars to navigate – the North Star is visible in the northern sky.
• How do I get the boat back if it sinks? The boat is destroyed. You’ll need to build a new one. Items in the boat’s inventory float to the surface, so you can retrieve them.
• Can I build a boat on land? No, boats must be built in water. You need to stand in shallow water to place the blueprint.
• Do boats take damage from waves? No, waves don’t damage boats. Only collisions with objects, monsters, or fire do.
• Can I put a portal on a boat? No, portals cannot be placed on boats. You can only place items in the boat’s inventory.
• What’s the fastest way to travel? The Longship with the wind at your back is the fastest. You can also use portals for instant travel, but they can’t transport ore.

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