Service the hull, then fit your upgrade
Repair your DREADMOOR trawler in the Dry Dock by washing off polyps with the Water Cannon, then patching hull damage with Bug Slime in the repair tool. For upgrades, research the part, craft it at the lathe, and physically install the finished component on the boat.
Prepare for your first Dry Dock visit
- Finish the first Snapper assignment before asking John the Fifth for the Dry Dock key.
- Gather 3 Coral Fibers, 3 Metal Plates, and 1 Bug Slime for John's moonshine still.
- Keep Cable from salvage for the Dry Dock fuse-box repair.
- Bring Bug Slime for hull repairs, plus the materials for the upgrade you intend to craft.
Unlock the Dry Dock through John
- Ask John the Fifth for the Dry Dock key after the Snapper assignment to begin his request for help with the still.
- Remove the prosthetic leg from the moonshine still outside the workshop to prepare it for repair.
- Repair the still's tank using 3 Coral Fibers, 3 Metal Plates, and 1 Bug Slime to complete the repair work.
- Speak to John again to receive the Dry Dock key.
- Enter the Dry Dock with the key to reach its power controls.
- Repair the red fuse box inside the dock to prepare the power system.
- Operate the separate power switch to bring the dock's equipment into service.
Lift, wash, and repair the trawler
Creature attacks damage the hull, while Sea-Blight polyps and barnacles can grow on it. Cleaning the underside and repairing damaged hull sections are separate jobs. Work through the lift sequence before moving on to fitting new components.
- Bring the boat onto the Dry Dock lift so it is positioned for maintenance.
- Raise the boat to level 2 to reach the underside for cleaning.
- Operate the Pressure Pump to prepare for washing the hull.
- Use the Water Cannon to wash the polyps from the underside.
- Lower the vessel to level 1 to move on to hull repairs.
- Load the repair tool with Bug Slime so it is ready to patch the damaged sections.
- Repair the left bow, left stern, right bow, and right stern individually to cover all 4 hull sections.
Choose hull protection, speed, or storage
Hull Protection improves durability and adds protection for you, the Upgraded Engine improves speed and maneuverability, and the Small Fish Hold increases cargo capacity. Choose the upgrade that addresses the problem on your next trip. If damage is cutting outings short, protection is a sensible priority before speed.
| Upgrade | What it changes | Research and materials | How to fit it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hull Protection | Greater boat durability and additional protection for you | Research costs 2 Torn Pages. Each module uses 3 Coral Fibers, 2 Bug Slime, 2 Rope, and 2 Rubber; the early objective needs 2 modules. | Install a module on each side-front mount. |
| Upgraded Engine | Noticeably better speed and maneuverability | Research costs 2 Torn Pages. Craft with 10 Metal Plates, 4 Gears, 2 Machine Oil, and 1 Carburetor. | Remove and store the old engine, then install the replacement at the boat console. |
| Small Fish Hold | More hold capacity through a repeatable upgrade | Research costs 2 Torn Pages; check the selected module's crafting requirements. | Build the part at the lathe, then install it on the existing trawler in the Dry Dock. |
Craft and mount the first hull protection
- Research Hull Protection in the Ship Upgrade Skill Tree to unlock its blueprint.
- Craft 2 Hull Protection modules at the lathe, using 3 Coral Fibers, 2 Bug Slime, 2 Rope, and 2 Rubber for each module.
- Install a Hull Protection module on the left front mount to protect that side.
- Install the remaining Hull Protection module on the right front mount to complete the early fitting objective.
Replace the engine for your next crossing
- Research the Upgraded Engine with 2 Torn Pages to unlock the part.
- Buy a Carburetor from Gil & Bozar for 45 coins after the Harpooner contract to obtain the purchased engine ingredient.
- Craft the Upgraded Engine at the lathe using 10 Metal Plates, 4 Gears, 2 Machine Oil, and 1 Carburetor.
- Remove the old engine to make room for its replacement.
- Store the old engine before fitting the new component.
- Install the Upgraded Engine at the boat console to use its improved speed and maneuverability.
Boat capacity and a trapped hull module
- Can I get a bigger boat later, or should I upgrade this trawler?
- For more cargo capacity, expand your existing trawler through storage modules in the upgrade tree. A player describes medium and large storage modules in that tree, while the official vessel description focuses on modular upgrades. Pursue hold expansion when your immediate aim is to carry more fish.
- What should I do if Hull Protection gets stuck under the workbench?
- Try reloading your save if a crafted Hull Protection module is trapped under the workbench and blocks the installation objective. Another player with the same issue said reloading was necessary. Treat this as a player-reported workaround to try before crafting a replacement.
Read this next: plan your fuel and catch
Use the fish list to plan a supply trip before your next crossing. Fish Meat from the Grinder feeds the Fuel Larva, and the resulting fuel is pumped into the boat with the Fuel Gun. Gas stations and found fuel cans offer other ways to refuel when you are out exploring.