Build and Rig Your First Sailing Ship

Setting Up the Frame

Start by constructing your ship hull from any solid blocks. Place Mast blocks vertically along the centerline of your ship, spacing them evenly. Between masts, install Yard blocks horizontally—these form the crossbeams that will hold your sails.

Rigging the Sails

Craft or gather Cotton Sails (lightweight) or Canvas Sails (heavier, more durable). Hold a sail in your hand and right-click on a Yard block. Then click the opposite lower corner of where you want the sail to stretch. The cloth will rig between those two points.

You can dye both sail types to customize your ship's appearance.

Trimming and Reefing

Once rigged, sneak and right-click on the sail cloth to reef it (roll it up) when you're not moving or need to reduce wind resistance. To trim sails continuously during sailing, attach ropes to your sail rigging—these let you adjust sail angle without reefing completely.

Testing Your Sails

With sails rigged, check the wind direction using an Anemometer or Wind Vane. Position your ship so the wind pushes against your sails, and you'll begin moving forward.