There's nothing like the salty spray of the sea. Of course, you can only truly appreciate sailing across the ocean in a pirate ship. And in Windrose, upgrading your ship makes maritime exploration even more rewarding. After all, the best way to sail the seas as a pirate is in a powerful ship that scares off pirating competition. Take a look below, and we'll show you how to upgrade your Windrose ship as soon as possible.

How to Upgrade Your Ship in Windrose

Before you can upgrade your ship, you'll actually need a ship. Luckily, that doesn't take too long after starting up Windrose for the first time. When you spawn in a new world, you'll first have to complete a tutorial quest called Islander. This gives you a brief introduction to the game's core gameplay loop, and when you're done, you'll receive a new main quest called I Need a Bigger Boat. This will teach you how to repair your ship and gather a crew; two things every pirate needs to know. Finally, when this quest is completed, you will have the option to start the quest, Seafarer. In this quest, you will learn how to craft a Shipwright's Workshop. These are instrumental to your continued progress as a Pirate. They're also the key to finally upgrading your ship.

How to Build & Use Shipwright's Workshop

If you're hungry for ship upgrades, a Shipwright's Workshop is the first thing you need to build after starting the Seafarer quest. Here's everything you need to build a Shipwright's Workshop:

• Wood: 15
• Coarse Fabric: 10
• Copper Ingot: 5

When you craft one, make sure it's under a roof of some kind. Otherwise, you won't be able to use it. Additionally, like nearly all workstations, your Shipwright's Workshop has to be within range of a Bonfire to be usable. Once you're actually using the workshop, you'll notice you can craft and upgrade in separate tabs. As part of the Seafarer quest, you'll actually have to craft some cannons for your ship. However, you can also craft Hull Bracing and Boarding Party Gear. On the upgrade tab, you can improve all this equipment and make it even tougher. However, crafting and upgrading ship gear in a Shipwright's Workshop won't actually place it on your ship. For example, you need to be holding your Cannons in your character's inventory to upgrade them. And to do that, you need a Wharf.

How to Build & Use a Wharf

Now, a Wharf won't allow you to upgrade your ship. It is, however, where you equip your ship with various equipment. Cannons, Hull Bracing, and Boarding Party Gear can only be put onto your ship if you load it via the Wharf. Here's everything you need to craft a Wharf:

• Wood: 10
• Coarse Fabric: 10

Like the Shipwright's Workshop, the Wharf has some rules when you're placing it. First, it must be placed on a shoreline. Second, it must also be placed within the range of a bonfire. As mentioned above, you actually have to carry your ship's Cannons or Hull Bracing in your inventory to upgrade them. But you can't interact with your ship unless you're using a Wharf. Here, you'll simply drag and drop your ship's gear from your inventory to the ship's inventory or vice versa. Additionally, a Wharf acts as a management window for all of the ships in your possession. At any Wharf, you can see all ships you own, what's in their inventory, and whether they're docked, sunk, or somewhere out at sea in distant waters. Finally, a Wharf is also where you can equip your ship with cosmetic customizations. You wouldn't be much of a pirate if you didn't give your ship a personal touch, would you? At the moment, you can customize your ship's hull colors and its flag. However, more customization options are planned to appear throughout the game's time in Early Access.