How can players avoid overloading boats with resources?

In Valheim, overloading boats with resources is a common issue that can lead to capsizing, loss of cargo, or even death. Boats are essential for transporting large quantities of materials like ore, wood, or stone across biomes, but they have weight limits and stability mechanics that players must respect. Understanding these mechanics and planning ahead can help you avoid overloading and ensure safe voyages.\n\nFirst, it''s important to know the weight capacity of each boat type. The Karve, for example, has a smaller storage capacity compared to the Longship. The Karve has four inventory slots, while the Longship has 18. Each slot can hold up to 50 units of weight, meaning the Karve can carry up to 200 units, and the Longship can carry up to 900 units. Exceeding these limits will cause the boat to sink or become unstable, especially in rough waters.\n\nTo avoid overloading, always calculate the total weight of your cargo before setting sail. For example, if you''re transporting copper ore, each stack weighs 30 units. In a Karve, you can safely carry six stacks (180 units) without risking overloading. However, if you add additional items like wood or stone, you must account for their weight as well. Use the inventory screen to check the total weight of your cargo before boarding the boat.\n\nAnother key mechanic is the boat''s stability in different weather conditions. Storms and high waves can make even a properly loaded boat unstable. To mitigate this, avoid sailing during storms or in dangerous biomes like the Ocean or Plains unless absolutely necessary. If you must sail in rough conditions, reduce your cargo load to improve stability. For example, if you''re transporting iron from the Swamp, consider making multiple trips with lighter loads instead of risking a single overloaded voyage.\n\nPlayers can also use portals to reduce the need for heavy boat trips. While portals cannot transport metal ores or certain other materials, they are perfect for lighter items like food, arrows, or crafting components. Set up a portal network between your base and resource-rich biomes to minimize the need for boat transport. For example, after mining silver in the Mountains, use a portal to bring back non-metal items and save boat space for the silver itself.\n\nFinally, always have a backup plan in case of emergencies. Carry materials to repair your boat mid-journey, such as wood and resin, and keep a portal at your destination to quickly return home if needed. If your boat does capsize, try to recover as much cargo as possible by swimming to the floating items. However, this is risky in dangerous biomes, so prevention is always better than recovery.\n\nIn summary, avoid overloading boats by calculating cargo weight, respecting boat capacity, and planning for weather conditions. Use portals strategically to reduce boat trips, and always prepare for emergencies. By following these tips, you can ensure safe and efficient resource transport in Valheim.