Shippy Ships Wiki › FAQ
Shippy Ships FAQ
10 questions players actually ask, answered.
How do I build my first ship?
Gather wooden planks from your chosen wood type, then use the ship building interface or crafting recipe to assemble the hull, mast, and sails. Once placed in water, right-click to board and use the controls to steer and manage your sails.
What's the difference between softwood and hardwood ships?
Hardwood ships (like Mangrove and Dark Oak) are stronger and take more damage but turn slowly and accelerate sluggishly. Softwood ships (like Cherry and Spruce) are faster and more responsive but have less health and durability.
Do I need a crew to sail a ship?
Small ships like Sailboats can be sailed solo, but larger ships like Caravels require a minimum crew to steer properly—without enough crew members, the ship becomes very difficult to control. Adding crew beyond the minimum also gives you bonus speed.
How do I add villagers or players to my crew?
Board your ship and use the crew management interface to add nearby players or villagers as crew members. The exact method depends on your mod version, but typically involves right-clicking or using a menu while on the ship.
What happens when my ship takes damage?
Damaged ships slowly sink over time rather than breaking instantly. You can repair them by right-clicking with wooden planks before they go under, or you can let them sink and swim down to retrieve your stored items from the wreck.
Why is my ship sinking in the ocean?
Deep water storms deal continuous damage to your ship, so sailing in rough open ocean without repairs or shelter will eventually sink you. Stay in shallower water or calmer conditions, or keep wooden planks on hand for repairs.
Can I use ships in rivers and shallow water?
Yes—Sailboats are specifically designed for shallow water and small rivers. Larger ships like Cogs and Caravels work best in deeper water and oceans but can still navigate rivers if they're wide enough.
Do my items stay safe if my ship sinks?
Yes, all items stored in your ship's storage remain inside the sunken wreck at the bottom of the ocean. You can swim down and retrieve them by interacting with the sunken ship.
What happens if my ship crashes into something at high speed?
Ships deal ramming damage when they collide with other entities or structures at high speeds, so be careful when steering near land, other ships, or mobs. Slowing down before impact reduces or prevents damage.
How do animated sails work?
Your sails open and close smoothly when you press the designated keys to control them, and the rudder visibly turns as you steer. This is purely visual and doesn't affect performance, but it helps you see your ship's current state at a glance.