Can I upgrade a raft, or do I need to build a better ship later?

In Valheim, the raft is the first watercraft you can build, but it cannot be upgraded. Instead, you will need to craft better ships as you progress through the game. The raft is a basic vessel made from 20 Wood, 6 Leather Scraps, and 6 Resin, which are relatively easy to gather early in the game. It is ideal for short trips across calm waters, but its slow speed and limited durability make it unsuitable for long voyages or dangerous biomes like the Ocean or Swamp.\n\nTo build a raft, you must first craft a Hammer using 3 Wood and 2 Stone. Once you have the Hammer, open the crafting menu and navigate to the Misc tab to find the raft recipe. Place the raft in shallow water, ensuring there is enough space for it to spawn. Once built, you can interact with it to board and use the rudder to steer. However, the raft''s slow speed and lack of storage make it a temporary solution for early exploration.\n\nAs you progress, you will unlock better ships like the Karve and the Longship. The Karve is a significant upgrade, requiring 30 Fine Wood, 10 Deer Hide, 20 Resin, and 80 Bronze Nails. Fine Wood is obtained by chopping down Birch or Oak trees in the Meadows or Black Forest biomes, while Bronze Nails are crafted at a Forge using Bronze, which is made from Copper and Tin. The Karve is faster, more durable, and has storage space, making it ideal for longer journeys and transporting resources.\n\nThe Longship is the ultimate ship in Valheim, requiring 100 Iron Nails, 40 Fine Wood, 40 Ancient Bark, and 10 Deer Hide. Iron Nails are crafted at a Forge using Iron, which is found in the Swamp biome. Ancient Bark is obtained by chopping Ancient Trees in the Swamp. The Longship is the fastest and most durable ship, with ample storage space for large-scale resource transportation. It is essential for exploring the Ocean biome and reaching distant lands like the Plains or Mistlands.\n\nWhen transitioning from a raft to better ships, it is important to plan your resources and progression. For example, if you are exploring the Black Forest biome, focus on gathering Fine Wood and Bronze to craft a Karve. If you are venturing into the Swamp, prioritize mining Iron and gathering Ancient Bark for the Longship. Always bring materials for a Portal when exploring new areas, as this allows you to quickly return to your base and avoid losing progress if your ship is destroyed.\n\nOne common challenge is managing ship durability during storms or encounters with sea creatures like Serpents. To mitigate this, avoid sailing during storms and always carry materials to repair your ship using a Hammer. Additionally, equip a strong weapon like an Abyssal Harpoon or a bow with Fire Arrows to defend against Serpents. If your ship is destroyed, you can recover its materials by returning to the wreckage, but this can be risky in dangerous biomes.\n\nIn summary, while the raft is a useful starting vessel, it cannot be upgraded. Instead, focus on crafting the Karve and Longship as you progress through the game. Plan your resource gathering and exploration carefully, and always be prepared for the challenges of sailing in Valheim''s vast and dangerous world.