Better Boats

Better Boats is a Forge modification that introduces new longboats to Minecraft with a classic game style. These maritime vessels are designed as a more expensive but functionally superior alternative to standard boats. They are perfect for transporting cargo, multiple passengers, and livestock, while also significantly simplifying long sea voyages.

The ships feature a high degree of customization: you can choose from five different figurehead options (or go without one) made from any Minecraft wood type, and sails are created based on banners with various patterns.

Boat Features

Longboats can be crafted from all six standard Minecraft wood types. Each is equipped with a built-in storage chest, special slots for maps (or any other items), and space for three passengers.

Thanks to the increased hull width compared to regular boats, you can freely move around the deck, and large animals like horses fit as easily as players and small mobs. However, the larger design has its drawbacks: the vessel won't fit through narrow passages accessible to standard boats, it cannot be broken down back into an item, and steering requires more effort and happens more slowly.

Movement speed depends on the number of active rowers: one rower accelerates the boat to 40% of standard boat speed, while a full crew of three people allows reaching 120% speed. With an installed sail, these figures increase to 100% and 180% respectively in clear weather conditions.

Customization Options

The vessel's personalization uses three specialized slots in the left part of the chest (though they can be used for regular storage if desired).

• The first slot is for installing a figurehead
• The second slot is used for placing a sail based on a banner
• The third slot secures an item in a special frame, typically for navigation maps

A sail created from a banner significantly speeds up movement: in clear weather it adds 60% to standard boat speed, in rain or snow - 30%, while during thunderstorms it provides no effect.

When a map is placed in the corresponding slot, it not only displays in the frame but also begins tracking the boat's current position, making it easy to find your vessel after disembarking.

Five types of figureheads are available: classic spar, Ender Dragon, Creeper, Skeleton, and Wither - each can be crafted from any wood available in the game.

Requirements

The mod requires installed Thutcore.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How to open the storage chest? - Right-click the boat while inside, or use Shift + right-click while outside
• How to disembark mobs and animals? - Right-click the boat with a stick while on land
• Why does the map get blurry when moving with OptiFine shaders? - The issue occurs due to motion blur and temporal anti-aliasing effects in some shader packs, disable these settings
• Can the mod be included in modpacks? - Yes, provided you link to the original source

The mod is actively maintained and developed by the author for personal use, however, technical support is not provided to users.