Sailing Ships
Build her from blocks. Name her. Read the wind. Sail her for real.
What it is
Sailcraft lets you build a ship out of ordinary blocks and actually sail it — the whole structure moves across the water with you aboard, chests, crew and all. This isn't a boat item; it's YOUR build, moving.
How to set sail
- Build a ship from blocks. Hull, deck, mast — your design.
- Craft a Ship's Helm (8 planks + compass) and place it on deck.
- Right-click the helm to take the captain's seat.
- Steer like a boat: W for throttle, S to slow/reverse, A/D to turn. The ship glides with real momentum.
The wind
Every sail on the server answers to one wind, and it never sits still — it wanders, freshens, and blows a gale when a storm rolls in. Where you point matters more than what you built:
- Running (wind behind you) — full speed and then some.
- Broad reach — still flying.
- Beam reach — steady going, a small push.
- Close hauled — you make way, but you pay for it.
- In irons — point within 45° of dead upwind and your sails slack; you crawl until you fall off the wind.
Your action bar shows the wind and your point of sail (green = flying, red = in irons), and /ship wind reads the weather any time. Tack across the wind in zig-zags to make ground upwind — that is the whole art of it. More sail means more wind caught, so cover your masts in wool or banners; a bare hull barely feels the weather. Airships have engines and feel it at half strength.
Hull speed
Ships sail like real hulls: the longer she is at the waterline, the faster she goes. A long sleek hull outruns a stubby tub no matter how many blocks each of you used, so length pays and clutter costs. Weight still counts — a stone-clad hull wallows where a wooden clipper skips along. A damaged hull limps: below 50% integrity she sails at half speed, and below 35% she breaks apart entirely. Repair after battles!
Captain's privileges
While seated at the helm: /ship name <name> christens her, /ship lock makes the helm captain-and-crew-only, and /ship crew add hires your friends. Locked helms keep strangers from sailing off with your pride and joy.
Commands
/ship name <name> | Name your ship (while at the helm) |
/ship tp [name] | Teleport aboard your ship, wherever she is right now |
/ship wind | Read the wind and your current point of sail |
/ship lock | Lock the helm to captain and crew |
/ship crew add <player> | Add a crew member |
/ship info | Stats for the ship you are sailing |
/ship release | Let go of the wheel and drop anchor |
/ship left | right | Turn the ship by command |