Houseboat
The Houseboat is a mobile home that players can build and customize in Starsand Island. Unlike the fixed homestead locations (Hopeland, Cloudrest Lake, Blue Beach, Windflute Island), the Houseboat floats on the ocean and can be sailed to different locations around the island's coastline. It serves as a secondary home with its own crafting, farming, and ranching spaces.
Features
The Houseboat combines living quarters with functional outdoor spaces:
Feature | Description |
|---|---|
Interior Rooms | Fully customizable indoor living space with furniture, decorations, and appliances |
Deck Crop Plots | Grow crops directly on the houseboat deck while sailing |
Animal Pens | Raise small animals on board (species restrictions apply) |
Pet Space | Bring your adopted pets along for the voyage |
Sea Fishing | Fish directly from the houseboat deck without needing to find a shore fishing spot |
Crafting Stations | Place workbenches and cooking stations on the boat for mobile crafting |
Building the Houseboat
The Houseboat becomes available after progressing through the Crafter profession and completing certain Island Life milestones. Players need to acquire the Houseboat Blueprint and gather the required materials before construction can begin.
Construction follows the same building system used for land-based structures. Players place walls, floors, windows, and decorative elements using the building menu. The Houseboat has a fixed footprint for the hull, but the interior layout and deck arrangement are fully customizable.
Farming on the Water
One of the Houseboat's unique features is the ability to maintain crop plots on the deck. These plots function identically to land-based farmland: plant seeds, water them, and harvest when ready. The deck plots are smaller than a full farm expansion, so they work best for growing a few high-value crops or ingredients you need regularly.
Animals can also be raised on the Houseboat deck in smaller pens. Larger animals like horses and cows are not compatible with the Houseboat due to space constraints, but chickens, rabbits, and bees fit comfortably.
Sea Fishing
Fishing from the Houseboat gives access to ocean fish species without needing to travel to a shore fishing spot. Combined with the Parrot Ship for deep-sea zones, the Houseboat provides a convenient base for dedicated fishing sessions. Cast your line directly from the deck and reel in catches while your crops grow behind you.
Tips
Use the Houseboat's deck crop plots for ingredients you cook regularly. Having a small supply of commonly used crops on hand saves trips back to your main farm.
Place a cooking station on the Houseboat so you can prepare cooking recipes while fishing or sailing.
Bring your pets along for company. They do not take up functional space and add personality to your floating home.
The Houseboat is a great complement to your main homestead, not a replacement. Use it for focused activities like fishing and small-scale farming while keeping your main crop and ranch operations on land.
Decorate the Houseboat interior with themed furniture to make it feel like a proper home. The Decoration and Paint System applies to houseboat rooms just like land buildings.