do you ACTUALLY like rowing?

[fabin]

lately in my runs, i've been trying to explore the ocean more, both for the boons that i get (thulecite, cool boat materials, free food from bass shoals), and because i got tired of ruins gathering in the early days always

the thing is, at some point, i've started to find rowing both extremely unfun and clunky, more so than using sails (which in my opinion, isn't as clunky make it out to be). so, to the absolute horror to some people, i decided to install a mod that makes rowing easier, and i've never turned it off since

the thing with timing your rows, is it if you time it perfectly, or row really slow, is that you just get the boat to move, and not get wet, that's it. not really a challenge and more of a chore. not to mention it's practically impossible to time them right if your ping is high

so what do you guys think, do you like how the rowing mechanic works currently?

[Well-met]

Almost every action were made to be holdable so its definitely a bit odd that rowing is left out, even though I understand why.

im indifferent to it staying like this or becoming holdable

Edited November 5, 2025 by Well-met

[GimplyGoose]

I think the clunkiness of rowing is a great incentive towards installing sails.

[Captain_Rage]

Yes.

21 minutes ago, Well-met said:

Almost every action were made to be holdable so its definitely a bit odd that rowing is left out, even though I understand why.

im indifferent to it staying like this or becoming holdable

Because it comes with its own quirk with timing paddle strokes to go faster and getting wet if you mess up too badly.

3 minutes ago, GimplyGoose said:

I think the clunkiness of rowing is a great incentive towards installing sails.

Yup.

[Gashzer]

30 minutes ago, fabin said:

lately in my runs, i've been trying to explore the ocean more, both for the boons that i get (thulecite, cool boat materials, free food from bass shoals), and because i got tired of ruins gathering in the early days always

the thing is, at some point, i've started to find rowing both extremely unfun and clunky, more so than using sails (which in my opinion, isn't as clunky make it out to be). so, to the absolute horror to some people, i decided to install a mod that makes rowing easier, and i've never turned it off since

the thing with timing your rows, is it if you time it perfectly, or row really slow, is that you just get the boat to move, and not get wet, that's it. not really a challenge and more of a chore. not to mention it's practically impossible to time them right if your ping is high

so what do you guys think, do you like how the rowing mechanic works currently?

I also installed mods that let me have moggle vision/reveals the map, why let silly things like balance/game mechanics prevent you from c̶h̶e̶a̶t̶i̶n̶g̶ playing the game the way you want 

[Esplanado]

i think they should add auto row tbh, have to click all the time is annoying

[crushcircuit]

seconding that its a good reason to install sails, i dont think rowing is really made to be done long-term, but instead for small adjustments. i think having the want to upgrade from rowing and instead using sails for long-term rides is natural

[gaymime]

so yes and no? i like the rowing, it is actually enjoyable to me and i am fairly good at it BUT the default paddles feel just a tiny bit too slow. claw paddles and battle paddles however make rowing super fun and pleasurable since once you get into the swing(row?) of it there is a lot of fun in making your cookie boat go(malbatross bill is probably good too but i dont fight her so i dont really know)

[Captain_Rage]

Just now, crushcircuit said:

seconding that its a good reason to install sails, i dont think rowing is really made to be done long-term, but instead for small adjustments. i think having the want to upgrade from rowing and instead using sails for long-term rides is natural

Plus most people are oblivious how easy it is to defeat the Crab King without the Pearl. Once you have the bumpers you can sail and crash into sea stacks with impunity.

[Radicaljoe]

47 minutes ago, gaymime said:

so yes and no? i like the rowing, it is actually enjoyable to me and i am fairly good at it BUT the default paddles feel just a tiny bit too slow. claw paddles and battle paddles however make rowing super fun and pleasurable since once you get into the swing(row?) of it there is a lot of fun in making your cookie boat go(malbatross bill is probably good too but i dont fight her so i dont really know)

I get all my malba oars from Klaus, then just deconstruct the malba watering can so I don't have to fight malba more. And I must say it is a really good oar.

[gaymime]

25 minutes ago, Radicaljoe said:

I get all my malba oars from Klaus, then just deconstruct the malba watering can so I don't have to fight malba more. And I must say it is a really good oar.

oh nice! i must confess once i have a sack i sort of forget klaus X'''D (maybe i should consider rolling for bills too?)

Edited November 5, 2025 by gaymime

[Mike23Ua]

Here’s the thing- Klei is not just making DST as a PC game, they are also making it for Console players too.. and with that in mind, I think I can speak for the Entire DST Console Edition Community when I say that Controller Users have often been “Second Thoughts” when it comes to DST’s Design (& yes we actually had to voice a ton of major negativity & complaints about it until Klei made some actual decent changes such as: Better Tool/Helmet switching capabilities, and being able to scroll left or right in your inventory far enough that it places you on the opposite side) 

Ahem anyway: I’ve come to learn that many of the “drag & drop” features PC Versions of the game have barely or do not even exist at all on Console.

Things like *Timed Rowing* however, is actually something I believe Klei put in the game to give Console/Controller users more Interactivity, (more fun?) with pressing controller buttons in mind.

For example: it’s probably a terrible experience on a KB/Mouse, Ahhh but how good does it feel on a Switch Controller? 
And as the OP said: If your on PC you can just download a nifty mod to change what you dislike about it.

[Cuernito.]

I think its fine, its just an early game mechanic that works well with a grass raft. And sailing feels more clunky, you know you have to control 3 or 4 things in a boat and solo feels bad to use. I would love something like an engine to control your boat soloplay (like raft the game or trash sailors), something that allows me to do other stuff while my boat moves to my destination but at a low speed, and maybe that engine can go in circle too so i can make a constant moving base at the ocean, that would be awesome!

[Bumber64]

Two things:

It's not compatible with keyboard. You're forced to mouse-click on a certain part of the screen over and over. It's painful, and is especially bad for anyone with joint issues.

You should be able to auto-row, but more slowly than if you timed it properly. (Sails, etc., have their own issues in solo, but that's a different topic.)

[Baark0]

Any dislike I may or may not have towards rowing is outweighed by my hatred of the sailing mechanics. Nothing like spending 6 purgatory sentences unfurling your 2+ sails, raising the anchor, and rotating your steering wheel, only for a group of sea stacks to immediately appear on your screen, forcing you to stop everything, unless you wish to expend boat patches and risk losing your whole boat.

Y'know maybe I'd like ocean content a whole lot more if the movement mechanics didn't feel clunky and sluggish as all hell. And if the amount of random useless rocks were reduced by 50%

[Popian]

1 hour ago, Baark0 said:

if the movement mechanics didn't feel clunky and sluggish as all hell

It does get smoother with a little practice, it's a matter of using as much speed as you can look ahead. I see such an aversion to trying sailing when some say they are sailing they actually mean rowing despite having the surplus resources.

[Bumber64]

2 hours ago, Baark0 said:

Any dislike I may or may not have towards rowing is outweighed by my hatred of the sailing mechanics. Nothing like spending 6 purgatory sentences unfurling your 2+ sails, raising the anchor, and rotating your steering wheel, only for a group of sea stacks to immediately appear on your screen, forcing you to stop everything, unless you wish to expend boat patches and risk losing your whole boat.

Y'know maybe I'd like ocean content a whole lot more if the movement mechanics didn't feel clunky and sluggish as all hell. And if the amount of random useless rocks were reduced by 50%

The above is the aforementioned issue with solo sailing. Wilson should invent something to drop anchor for you from the comfort of your steering wheel. (Maybe Winona if it's got an engine for raising again, but Wilson's usually credited for sailing tech.)

I've heard it gets better with CK bumpers letting you ram straight through, but you're probably nearly done with ocean content by that point.

Edited November 6, 2025 by Bumber64

[Cloverleaves]

I think rowing serves fine as a auxiliary tool for navigating boats. If rowing is more convenient than sails, why would we even bother installing sails. Things should have pros and cons at the same time, and I think rowing's pros and cons are quite reasonable. It is definitely not designed for long distance sailing but in some situations like micro controlling your boats or in combat situations which require more responsive controls, rowing could be a better option then sails. So I always hold a row in my hand even when I'm sailing. It is better to row when you want to evade a rock in the course or move towards floating items without repeatedly rotating steers.

[Ohan]

In my opinion all seafaring without Malbatross items (paddle and sails) (and CK bumpers) is basically torture. 

4 hours ago, Bumber64 said:

It's not compatible with keyboard. You're forced to mouse-click on a certain part of the screen over and over. It's painful, and is especially bad for anyone with joint issues.

+1

Edited November 6, 2025 by Ohan

[Cassielu]

Rowing is great. oars are not designed for long-distance travel.

The real problem that needs to be solved is that the sails are too bad, to the extent that many people would rather row all day without using them.

Edited November 6, 2025 by Cassielu

[Captain_Rage]

What is bad about sails?

[Dwight34]

I use an auto-row mod and I feel no shame in it, with how much sailing there can be in the game, having to ruin my wrist clicking so many times is something I will not accept. Sails should be buffed and have more uses, rowing should be automatic. And there is no reason for the sail and anchor to have those absurdly long times to be raised or downed in some areas, those timers should be heavily cut.

[landromat]

8 minutes ago, Dwight34 said:

I use an auto-row mod and I feel no shame in it, with how much sailing there can be in the game, having to ruin my wrist clicking so many times is something I will not accept. Sails should be buffed and have more uses, rowing should be automatic. And there is no reason for the sail and anchor to have those absurdly long times to be raised or downed in some areas, those timers should be heavily cut.

same

[gaymime]

11 hours ago, Baark0 said:

Any dislike I may or may not have towards rowing is outweighed by my hatred of the sailing mechanics. Nothing like spending 6 purgatory sentences unfurling your 2+ sails, raising the anchor, and rotating your steering wheel, only for a group of sea stacks to immediately appear on your screen, forcing you to stop everything, unless you wish to expend boat patches and risk losing your whole boat.

Y'know maybe I'd like ocean content a whole lot more if the movement mechanics didn't feel clunky and sluggish as all hell. And if the amount of random useless rocks were reduced by 50%

you can change the rocks in settings.

[ShuH]

 

Having a water wheel as an advanced rowing tool would be better. I do care about the life expectancy of my mouse.