OSRS Sailing Gear Progression Guide (2025)
A captain is only as good as their vessel. In Old School RuneScape's Sailing skill, your ship is your weapon, your shield, and your home. Choosing the right ship and outfitting it with the correct gear is the difference between a profitable voyage and sinking to the depths.
This comprehensive Sailing Gear Progression Guide covers every ship from level 1 to 99, the best cannon setups for DPS, and the essential hull upgrades you need to survive the deep seas. Whether you're a skiller looking for speed or a PvMer looking for firepower, we have the optimal loadout for you.
Ship Progression Tier List
Ships are the core of your sailing experience. Unlike other skills where you might swap gear frequently, ships are major investments. Here is the optimal progression path for most players.
Small Raft
HP
50
Speed
Slow
Slots
0
Cost
Free
The starting vessel. Very fragile and slow. Upgrade immediately upon reaching level 5.
River Cog
HP
150
Speed
Medium
Slots
2
Cost
10k GP
First real ship. Capable of river travel and basic coastal tasks. Good for early levels.
Coastal Caravel
HP
400
Speed
Fast
Slots
4
Cost
250k GP
The mid-game workhorse. Excellent speed for courier missions and decent combat capabilities.
War Galleon
HP
1200
Speed
Fast
Slots
8
Cost
5M GP
Heavy combat vessel. Essential for Deep Sea Raids and boss hunting. High upkeep cost.
Grand Carrack
HP
2500
Speed
Very Fast
Slots
12
Cost
50M GP
The ultimate sailing vessel. Massive cargo hold and unrivaled firepower. The goal for all captains.
Naval Artillery Guide
Your choice of cannon determines your XP rates in combat. While it might be tempting to always use the strongest cannon, the ammo cost can eat into your profits significantly.
- Training: Use Iron or Steel Cannons. They offer the best GP/XP ratio.
- Bossing: Use Heavy or Mithril Cannons. DPS is king when fighting the Kraken or Sea Snake.
- PVP: Always use the highest tier available.
| Cannon Type | Damage | Range | Cost / Shot |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Cannon | 10-15 | 6 | Iron Bar |
| Bronze Cannon | 15-22 | 7 | Bronze Bar |
| Iron Cannon | 20-28 | 7 | Iron Bar |
| Steel Cannon | 30-38 | 8 | Steel Bar |
| Mithril Cannon | 40-52 | 8 | Mithril Bar |
| Heavy Cannon | 60-85 | 9 | Runite Bar |
Essential Ship Upgrades
Beyond the ship itself, you can customize various slots. These upgrades are often more important than the ship hull itself. For example, Spirit Sails on a lower tier ship can make it faster than a base-tier higher level ship.
Sails SlotBiS
Best in Slot
Spirit Sails
Effect
+15% Speed
Source
Spirit Realm Drop
Hull SlotBiS
Best in Slot
Dragonfruit Plating
Effect
+200 HP, Fire Resist
Source
Karamja Shop
Figurehead SlotBiS
Best in Slot
Kraken Skull
Effect
+5% Magic Def
Source
Kraken Boss
Anchor SlotBiS
Best in Slot
Heavy Abyssal Anchor
Effect
Stops ship instantly
Source
Abyssal Sire
Best Setups for Every Activity
The Speed Runner
Maxed out sails, minimal armor. Perfect for Charting and Courier tasks.
- Ship: Caravel
- Sails: Magic Logs
- Hull: Lightweight
The Fortress
Reinforced hull, repair crew. Ideal for learning dangerous waters safely.
- Ship: Galleon
- Plating: Ironwood
- Crew: Carpenters
The Destroyer
Full cannons, heavy ammo. Very slow, but kills anything in range instantly.
- Ship: Carrack
- Cannons: Heavy x12
- Ammo: Runite
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy every ship?
No. You can safely skip the Level 40 ship if you have a well-upgraded Level 20 ship. Save your gold for the major tier jumps at Level 50 and 75.
Do cannons break?
Yes, cannons have a durability stat. Bring a Hammer and spare Metal Bars on long trips to repair them, or they will explode and be lost forever.