The world of the best Minecraft survival servers is long, vivid, and limitless. You can travel for hours and discover things that you couldn't even imagine. But unfortunately, many players miss out on half of the experience by simply sticking with the land. If you don't want to be one of them, you must learn how to make a boat in Minecraft. It is the only equipment you need to set sail and explore the infinite possibilities of the game's aquatic realm. Are you ready to embark on a journey of a lifetime and explore uncharted territories? Let's dive in!
How to Make a Boat in Minecraft
Note: Some of the mechanics discussed in our guide are based on the Minecraft Snapshot 23w14a. They are subject to change before the final release of the next major update.
Ingredients Required to Craft a Boat
You need to get the following items to build a boat in Minecraft:
- 5 Wood Planks
- 1 Shovel (Bedrock only)
- Crafting Table
Planks are quite easy to obtain in the game. To create planks, all you need to do is place a log or stem block of a particular wood type into a crafting grid. It's worth noting that boats can be crafted using any type of wood from the overworld, so the choice of wood type won't affect the functionality of the boat.
However, each type of wood does have a unique texture and, in some cases, a distinct design for the boat. If you want the freshest-looking boat, then we suggest you obtain the new pink cherry wood from the Cherry Grove biome of Minecraft.
Make a Shovel in Minecraft
If you want to learn how to make a boat in Minecraft Bedrock then you must get a wooden shovel to complete its recipe. As you might imagine, the shovel acts as an oar to row the boat and propel it in any direction you want. However, on the Java edition, the recipe works with only the planks.
Creating a shovel in Minecraft is a straightforward process. Simply combine two sticks and a plank on the crafting table, and you're good to go. You can use any type of wooden plank available in the game to make a shovel. Though you can only use a wooden shovel to craft a boat, using any other material will disrupt the crafting process.
How to Build a Boat in Minecraft
Now that you have all the required items, follow these steps to create a boat in Minecraft:
1. First, open the crafting table by right-clicking or using the secondary action key on it.
2. Then, fill the bottommost row of the crafting grid with three wooden planks.
3. Next, place one plank on either side of the second row of the crafting grid while leaving the middle cell empty. If you are on the Java edition, your boat should be ready at this point.
4. Meanwhile, if you are on the Minecraft Bedrock, you have to place a shovel in the middle cell of the second row to create your boat.
Crafting Recipe of a Raft
Boats have been a part of Minecraft for a long time but now, thanks to Minecraft 1.20, you can even craft rafts in the game. Rafts work similarly to boats but offer a more streamlined appearance with a borderless design. Here's how to make one:
1. First, combine nine pieces of bamboo on a crafting table to turn them into a block of bamboo.
2. Then, place the block of bamboo into the crafting grid to get two bamboo planks. You need a total of 5 planks so it will cost you a total of 27 pieces of bamboo.
3. Finally, to create a raft in Minecraft, you can use the same recipe as boats, but with bamboo planks instead. However, if you're playing on the Bedrock edition, be sure to include a wooden shovel in the crafting recipe as well.
How to Build a Boat with a Chest
A regular boat is great for going on long voyages across the waters of Minecraft by yourself and even with a friend. But long journeys often require a bunch of resources that your inventory might not be large enough to carry.
Luckily, you can combine a boat or a raft with a chest on the crafting table to create a floating vehicle with portable storage. However, keep in mind that once you add the chest, you won't be able to have another mob or player sit in the boat or raft with you.
How to Use a Boat in Minecraft
Now that you know how to make a boat in Minecraft, it's time to take your creation for a spin. Follow these steps to start your boating journey:
1. First, find a body of water whether it is a lake, river, or ocean in the overworld. You can even make a Nether portal and take your boat to the lava ocean of the Nether but it won't survive for long.
2. Then, equip your boat or raft and right-click on the water while holding it. It will automatically get placed on the surface of the water.
3. Then, just right-click on the boat to get into it and use your usual movement keys to move it around.
4. When you reach the shore, you can simply break the boat to pick it up. Unlike tools, boats can be used indefinitely and don't have durability. Though, things like lava, fire, explosions, and mob attacks can still destroy it.
Get a Mob Inside Your Boat or Raft
Boats and rafts are a great means of transportation but not just for the players and their goods. But they can also be used to move mobs from one spot to another too. All you have to do is place the boat next to the mob of your choice and slowly nudge it on top of the vehicles.
However, if you try this mechanic after the release date of Minecraft 1.20, there is an extra restriction to it. In the latest version, boats and rafts can only carry mobs that are smaller than them. So, while a Panda might barely make the cut, the Sniffer will definitely have a hard time fitting onto your vehicle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you get a boat in Minecraft?
Boats don't spawn naturally in the game. You have to learn how to make a boat in Minecraft to get your hands on one and our guide will help you in the same.
How do you make a big ship in Minecraft?
There are a bunch of great ship structure designs that you can rely on to create a ship in Minecraft. However, if you are looking for functionality, the boat is your only option.
Is a boat useful in Minecraft?
A boat is quite useful in Minecraft not only in terms of transportation but even dodging fall damage and trapping mobs. You can figure out a bunch of creative ways to use it in the game. The only limitation is your imagination.
Make and Use a Boat in Minecraft
Learning how to make a boat in Minecraft is a truly vital experience in unlocking the core experience of the game. Though, the open blue sea can get pretty boring in no time. So, make sure to download OptiFine to turn some of the best Minecraft shaders in the game. They will not only make your game run better but even unlock much better-looking water and environment for you. And in case you want to explore the depth of the sea, make sure to get turtle scutes in Minecraft to help you breathe longer. Having said that, it's time to grab your boat, sail the high seas, and embark on an adventure of a lifetime. Happy gaming!