Following player feedback, Jagex boosted early-game Sailing XP-specifically from levels 1 to 30-by roughly 20%, making the introduction far smoother. Many players initially felt the early grind was slow, but this adjustment now places Sailing more in RuneScape gold line with other skills. Level 1–30 in OSRS has always been a slower stretch for almost every skill, and Sailing is no different, but it's now much more manageable.
How to Customise and Upgrade Your Ship
One of the first questions new players ask is how to properly customise their ship. The tutorial introduces interior facilities, but it glosses over the exterior components.
As you progress, you unlock new ships:
Level 1: Raft
Level 15: Skiff
Level 50: Sloop
These upgrades dramatically improve your speed, cargo capacity, and available facilities.
Upgrading the Exterior
To modify the outside of your ship, interact with the upgrade board west of the dock. Here, you can enhance:
Hull – The body of your vessel
Keel – The structural spine of your ship
Helm – Steering capability
Mast Sails – Speed, maneuvering, and aesthetics
Each component has Sailing and Construction requirements, as well as material costs.
Gathering Materials
Hull Keel Parts: Craft at the workbench north of the dock or use anvils across Gielinor.
Sails: Spin flax, hemp, or cotton at spinning wheels.
Ironmen: A port with a nearby bank (like Port Gadzard) is ideal for crafting your parts quickly.
Early Sailing Quests (Levels 1–45)
Questing is one of the fastest ways to skip early levels and unlock Sailing tools.
1. The Pandemonium (Level 1–5)
This is your starting quest and Sailing tutorial. It teaches basic navigation, facility building, and leaves you with your first raft.
2. Prying Times (Level 12)
Requires: redberry pie, steel bar, hammer
Teaches you how to pry open floating crates with a crowbar and rewards enough XP to reach Level 15, unlocking the skiff.
3. Current Affairs (Level 22)
A lore-rich quest that unlocks ocean current charting. Finishing it brings you to Level 24 and is required for certain sea charting activities.
4. Trouble Tortugans (Level 45)
Takes you to OSRS GP the Great Kunch, introduces the Tortugan people, griffin creatures, and coral nurseries-a new Farming training option. Completing this expands your exploration options significantly.
