So, you've reached the Iron Age and you want an upgrade? Well, the rowboat is for you. It has three seats, so it can hold 3 players, or up to 2 animals, including horses! As always, you can also replace seats (except for the pilot seat) with containers of your choosing. You can also place two additional containers at the stern.
In the rowboat, unlike other boats, you'll be sitting backwards when you're piloting the boat. It gives you a mechanical advantage so you can really put your back into those oars! You can, of course, pilot it in first-person, but if you may find it more intuitive in third-person facing yourself.
To build a rowboat, you'll need to start with Shipwright's Scaffolding. These allow you to keep the boat materials in place while you build.
Then, you'll place them facing inward in a 2 by 3 area.
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Shipwright's Scaffolding arranged in order to construct a rowboat.
Next, you'll need to add planks of suitably a strong hardwood:
Acacia
Ash
Aspen
Birch
Blackwood
Chestnut
Hickory
Maple
Oak
Rosewood
Sycamore
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Four planks have been added to each scaffold.
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Using a hammer in your offhand, add four copper bolts to each scaffold. Copper bolts are smithed from copper ingots.
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Finally, add the oarlocks to the center of the boat. These are smithed from Wrought Iron Double Ingots.
Now, add oars with Right Click and you'll be on your way!