Boats are an essential watercraft in Valheim, especially for exploration and resource-gathering across islands. Players can craft several different vessels to take their voyages on, ranging from small rafts to sturdy longships. So, it's time to embark on grand adventures across the map with the help of our guide on all of the boats in Valheim, their stats, and how to use them to navigate the game's dangerous waters.

How to Use Boats in Valheim

Boats in Valheim typically rely on wind power to move about the map’s vast water systems. So, look at the in-game wind speed and direction at the bottom of the mini-map. Thankfully, Valheim is reasonably forgiving when it comes to traveling by boat. In particular, players can still acquire fairly good speed from crosswind to tailwind. However, the former can restrict the boat’s movement significantly. If so, players can interact with the rudder to override the vessel’s movement, allowing optimal sailing speed. Note that Valheim’s rudder controls are generally bound to the "W" and "S" keys. Pressing "W" changes the boat's forward speed, whereas pressing "S" slows the vessel. Pressing the "S" key after the boat stops puts the watercraft in reverse. Doing so induces paddling, which can be useful for quick turns and precision docking. On the other hand, turning the boat in Valheim generally requires navigators to use the “A” or “D” keyboard keys (by default). Valheim’s boats can also damage creatures by ramming into them. Doing so hits opponents with blunt damage. However, boats can also take damage from various encounters, including those from Mother Nature. For instance, water vessels take 10 damage when hitting the water at high vertical speed. These watercraft also take 20 damage per second if capsized. It’s also important to mention that all boats in Valheim share the same vulnerabilities and resistances. In particular, all ships are vulnerable to Fire but are resistant to Frost and Pierce damage. These vessels also receive neutral damage from Slash, Blunt, and Lightning and are immune to Chop, Pickaxe, Poison, and Spirit damage.

Every Boat in Valheim

Raft

Your first foray into Valheim’s vast waters will typically begin with the Raft. Although rudimentary, this vessel is your first ticket to island exploration. Crafting the Raft in Valheim only requires some basic materials easily found at the beginner island. Its small size also lets you navigate through shallow waters and tight spaces, unlocking short yet meaningful trips through rivers and coastal areas. However, the Raft’s simplicity makes it highly susceptible to harm from the environment and sea creatures. So, avoid using it to navigate Valheim’s open waters. Nonetheless, this small watercraft’s straightforwardness also makes it immune to capsizing, regardless of the weather. How to Craft: Use 20x Wood, 6x Leather Scraps, and 6x Resin

Stats

• Size: 6x4
• Health: 300
• Seats: 0
• Storage Slots: 0
• Full Sail Speed: 2.5 to 3.1 m/s
• Half Sail Speed: 1.6 to 2.2 m/s
• Paddling Speed: 1.6 m/s

Karve

The Karve is a significant step up from the humble Raft. It’s a medium-sized boat with improved speed and maneuverability, unlocking ocean voyages to players. Additionally, it has ample storage space for transporting various items, such as ores and other crafting materials. However, the Karve isn’t without its shortcomings. For instance, its small storage capacity means it can only carry fewer items than the larger ships in Valheim. Also, its low durability still makes this vessel an unlikely option to travel harsh waters, especially near the Ashlands. How to Craft: Use 30x Fine Wood, 10x Deer Hide, 20x Resin, and 80x Bronze Nails

Stats

• Size: 10x3
• Health: 500
• Seats: 1x Pilot + 2 additional seats
• Storage Slots: 4
• Full Sail Speed: 3.9 to 7.0 m/s
• Half Sail Speed: 2.8 to 4.8 m/s
• Paddling Speed: 3.14 m/s

Longship

Before the Ashlands Update, the Longship was considered to be the pinnacle of Viking engineering in Valheim. A formidable water vessel, the Longship can cater to more passengers than the Karve, making it an ideal watercraft for multiplayer Valheim servers. Additionally, the Longship is faster and more robust than the Karve or Raft. Its stats make it an ideal choice for navigating most of Valheim’s treacherous waters, particularly when fending off sea creature attacks. Nonetheless, the Longship has its fair share of drawbacks. One notable shortcoming is its size, making it cumbersome to dock and maneuver. Also, its larger profile makes it an easy target for hostile encounters. It’s also susceptible to capsizing, especially during storms. How to Craft: Use 100x Iron Nails, 10x Deer hide, 40x Fine Wood, and 40x Ancient Bark

Stats

• Size: 22x6
• Health: 1,000
• Seats: 1x Pilot + 4 additional seats
• Storage Slots: 18
• Full Sail Speed: 5.04 to 9.5 m/s
• Half Sail Speed: 3.6 to 6.7 m/s
• Paddling Speed: 3.16 m/s

Drakkar

Besting the Longship as the best boat in Valheim (as of the Ashlands Update) is the Drakkar. This formidable water vessel is designed for adventurers seeking to conquer every nook and cranny of the map. Players can even bring this large watercraft to the Ashlands without damaging it (assuming that they’re expert navigators). Additionally, the Drakkar offers ample storage space, making it an ideal choice for long voyages and transporting resources en masse. Ramming sea creatures with this sturdy boat is also quite satisfying, thanks to its durability, which is thrice the health of the Longship. Nonetheless, the Drakkar isn’t without its unique challenges, as some players would also call it a double-edged sword on the ocean. For instance, its larger turning radius compared to smaller ships in Valheim makes it less agile. Crafting it also demands significant quantities of endgame resources, such as Fine Wood and Iron Nails. How to Craft: Use 100x Iron Nails, 30x Ceramic Plates, 50x Wood, and 25x Yggdrasil Wood

Stats

• Size: 14x18
• Health: 3,000
• Seats: 1x Pilot + 8 additional seats
• Storage Slots: 32