One question we often receive is why some of the smaller boats can feel lighter or bouncier in rough seas. The answer lies in how speed affects a displacement hull.
Our Class 1 vessels, such as the Røster, are based on real-world 28-foot displacement workboats. In reality, boats of this type typically cruise at around 7–8 knots, where they move naturally with the waves and provide a stable, predictable ride.
As players can upgrade the engine and propeller, allowing Class 1 vessels to reach higher speeds than in real life. While this offers greater convenience and faster travel, it also pushes the vessel well beyond the speed it was designed to operate at. At these higher speeds, the hull no longer behaves like a typical displacement vessel.
Instead of moving smoothly through the waves, it begins driving into them, creating stronger impacts and a ride that can feel lighter and more bouncy. This is a natural consequence of operating the boat outside its intended speed range—not an issue with the buoyancy or physics simulation.
If players goal is the most authentic maritime experience, we recommend not upgrading the engines or propeller for the Class 1 vessels, then they are close to their original engine and propeller configuration. At realistic cruising speeds, players will experience a more natural buoyancy, improved wave interaction, and handling that closely matches their real-world counterparts.
From the Class 2 and up, they are more aligned with their actual real speed so they should behave more natural.
As with many aspects in the game, there's a balance between realism and player progression. Upgrades allow player to travel faster and complete jobs more efficiently, but they also change how a vessel behaves—just as they would in the real world.