Sailing in Minecraft has always felt limited — a single wooden boat with no storage, no combat, and no personality. Small Ships Mod changes that entirely by introducing four distinct vessel types, each built for different ocean conditions and crew sizes. From the cargo-heavy Brigg to the ice-breaking Drakkar, every ship comes with its own stats for speed, hull strength, and passenger capacity. With over 4.1 million downloads, this mod by talhanation has become one of the most popular naval additions in the Minecraft modding community.
Key Features
- Four unique ship types — The Cog offers 108 item slots and 4 cannons at 40 km/h; the Brigg scales up to 162 slots, 6 cannons, and 45 km/h top speed; the Galley carries 9 passengers and is optimized for warm water; and the Drakkar can break through ice with room for 11 passengers.
- Biome-based speed system — Cold-water ships sail 10% faster in cold biomes but 10% slower in warm ones, and vice versa for warm-water ships. Choosing the right vessel for your route actually matters.
- Weight affects performance — Ship speed decreases by 2.5% per cannon mounted and up to 10% when carrying cargo, so you'll need to balance firepower and storage against mobility.
- Full ship customization — Dye your sails any color, name your ship with a name tag, and repair damage using iron nuggets and planks.
- Leash and tether ships — Tie your vessels to a spot so they don't drift away, available from versions 1.18.2 to 1.20.6.
Screenshots
How to Install
- Download and install your preferred mod loader — Forge, Fabric, NeoForge, or Quilt.
- If using Fabric, make sure Fabric API is also installed.
- Download the Small Ships Mod file matching your Minecraft version from the link below.
- Place the downloaded
.jarfile into your.minecraft/modsfolder. - Launch Minecraft with your mod loader profile and start sailing.
Requirements
| Mod Loader | Dependencies | Minecraft Versions |
|---|---|---|
| Forge, Fabric, NeoForge, Quilt | Fabric API (for Fabric), NeoForge Installer (for NeoForge) | 1.21.4, 1.21.1, 1.21, 1.20.6, 1.20.4, 1.20.1, 1.20, 1.19.4, 1.19.2, 1.18.2 |
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Four ship types with distinct roles give meaningful choices for different playstyles
- Biome-based speed mechanics add strategic depth to ocean travel
- Supports all major mod loaders including Forge, Fabric, NeoForge, and Quilt
- Wide version compatibility from 1.18.2 all the way to 1.21.4
- Ship customization options like dyeable sails and name tags add a personal touch
Cons
- Ship leashing is only available on versions 1.18.2 through 1.20.6
- Cannons and cargo reduce speed, which may frustrate players wanting fully loaded warships
- The Galley and Drakkar lack cannon slots, limiting their combat usefulness
Download
Always download mods from official sources to stay safe.
What's New
- Added Pale Oak wood variant for ship construction, expanding building material options.
- Ported to Minecraft 1.21.4 with full mod loader support.
- Continued maintenance keeps the mod compatible with the latest Minecraft releases.
FAQ
Which ship is the best for long ocean voyages?
The Brigg is the strongest all-around choice with 162 item slots, 6 cannons, room for 11 passengers, and the highest top speed at 45 km/h. If you're traveling through cold biomes specifically, the Drakkar's ice-breaking ability can be more practical.
Can you put cannons on every ship type?
No. The Cog supports 4 cannons and the Brigg supports 6, but the Galley and Drakkar do not have cannon slots. Keep in mind that each cannon reduces your ship's speed by 2.5%.
Does Small Ships Mod work with Fabric and Forge on the same version?
Yes, most Minecraft versions from 1.18.2 onward have both Forge and Fabric builds available. Versions 1.20.4 and later also include NeoForge support. Just make sure to download the correct file for your mod loader.
![[Let's Do] Meadow Mod (1.21.1) - thumbnail](http://mcinside.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/thumbnail-64-52x52.webp)
![Not Enough Recipe Book [NERB] Mod (1.21.11) - thumbnail](http://mcinside.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/thumbnail-63-52x52.webp)
