Ships

Definition and Parts
Ships are seaworthy vessels, generally larger than boats, capable of sheltering characters and goods and capable of facilitating significant artillery. Parts of a ship include the hull, decks, and rigging, which are all determined by ship configuration.


 * The hull refers to the bottom and sides of the ship and the area of space enclosed by (inside) the bottom and sides of the ship. It is determined by hull form and hull additions / upgrades part of ship configuration.


 * Decks are the ship's floors or levels accessed by a ship's crew or cargo hatches on which characters can walk/run, move and place goods such as cargo and artillery, and access various access stations to operate the ship.


 * Rigging encompasses all sails, spars, shrouds, and lines, all attached ship's mast(s).

Key
Performance Ratings (from worse to better): Poor | Fair | Satisfactory | Good | Very Good | Excellent

Gun(s): On a ship, either cannons of all types including long cannons, carronades, or mortars. Gun ports usually refer to ports for long cannons and carronades only.

Ship Configuration
Ships are configured by their number of masts, size rating, rigging, hull form, hull beam, hull decks, and deck layout as follows:

Number of Masts
The number of masts determine the possible size ratings, hull decks, deck layouts and riggings; and effects overall capacity (including cargo capacity). In Winds of Fortune, ships can be configured as:


 * One Masted: One masted ships are smaller and generally have better acceleration, top speed, maneuverability, but less fire power than two and three masted ships.
 * Two Masted: Two masted ships are in between the size of one masted and three masted ships and generally have acceleration, top speed, maneuverability, and fire power in between one and three masted ships.
 * Three Masted: Three masted ships are larger and generally have less acceleration, top speed, maneuverability but greater fire power than one and two masted ships.

Size Rating

 * Size rating is always configured as light, mid , and heavy , effecting overall capacity (including cargo capacity) but is relative in size and overall capacity (including cargo capacity) according to the number of masts configuration.

Rigging
Rigging determines the ship's sails, sailing performance, minimum dedicated sailing crew, and effects the cost to repair. Shared features help organize riggings as follows: Fore and Aft riggings, Square riggings, Lateen rigging, and Junk rigging.

Hull Form
Hull form determines the shape of the hull, determines ports for guns or oars, determines some of the possible additions and upgrades, and effects the seaworthiness and maneuverability of the ship.


 * Straight Hull
 * Seaworthiness: Good. See also Environment: Sea: Waves: Angle of Collision on Vessels.
 * Maneuverability:
 * Steering: Good
 * Acceleration: Good
 * Top Speed: Good
 * Durability:
 * Bow: Good
 * Beam: Good
 * Stern: Good
 * Slender Hull
 * Seaworthiness: Satisfactory. See also Environment: Sea: Waves: Angle of Collision on Vessels.
 * Maneuverability:
 * Steering: Very Good
 * Acceleration: Very Good
 * Top Speed: Very Good
 * Durability:
 * Bow: Satisfactory
 * Beam: Satisfactory to Good
 * Stern: Satisfactory
 * Slender Stern, Round Bow Hull
 * Seaworthiness: Very Good. See also Environment: Sea: Waves: Angle of Collision on Vessels.
 * Maneuverability:
 * Steering: Very Good
 * Acceleration: Satisfactory
 * Top Speed: Satisfactory
 * Durability:
 * Bow: Good
 * Beam: Good
 * Stern: Very Good
 * Slender Bow, Straight Stern Hull
 * Seaworthiness: Satisfactory to Good. See also Environment: Sea: Waves: Angle of Collision on Vessels.
 * Maneuverability:
 * Steering: Good
 * Acceleration: Very Good
 * Top Speed: Very Good
 * Durability:
 * Bow: Satisfactory
 * Beam: Good
 * Stern: Very Good
 * Round Bow and Stern Hull
 * Seaworthiness: Good to Very Good. See also Environment: Sea: Waves: Angle of Collision on Vessels.
 * Maneuverability:
 * Steering: Satisfactory
 * Acceleration: Satisfactory
 * Top Speed: Good
 * Durability:
 * Bow: Very Good
 * Beam: Very Good
 * Stern: Very Good
 * Junk Hull
 * Seaworthiness: Very Good. See also Environment: Sea: Waves: Angle of Collision on Vessels.
 * Maneuverability:
 * Steering: Good
 * Acceleration: Satisfactory
 * Top Speed: Good
 * Durability:
 * Bow: Good
 * Beam: Good
 * Stern: Good

Hull Beam
Hull beam determines the width of the ship which contributes to seaworthiness, maneuverability, and effects space and cargo capacity.


 * Standard
 * Seaworthiness: Good. See also Environment: Sea: Waves: Angle of Collision on Vessels.
 * Maneuverability: Good
 * Cargo Capacity (space available in the hold): More than the narrow hull beam and less than broad hull beam.
 * Narrow
 * Seaworthiness: Satisfactory
 * Maneuverability: Very Good
 * Cargo Capacity (space available in the hold): Less than each of the individual standard and broad hull beams.
 * Broad
 * Seaworthiness: Very Good
 * Maneuverability: Satisfactory
 * Cargo Capacity (space available in the hold): More than each of the individual standard and narrow hull beams.

Hull Decks
Hull Decks are decks from the main deck through the hold. Decks between the main deck and the hold allow for ports, for guns or oars, on the sides of the hull, accessible via decks below the main deck. Depending on the number of masts part of ship configuration, the following hull decks are possible:

Deck Layout
Deck layout includes the crew hatches for all ships and determines whether space on the main deck will be used for cargo hatches or mortar compartments.

Available to One, Two, and Three Masted Ships:


 * Standard: Includes crew hatches and cargo hatches to the hold.

Available to Two and Three Masted Ships:


 * Mortar: Includes crew hatches and mortar compartments instead of cargo hatches.

Hull Additions / Upgrades
Hull Additions / Upgrades are combinable except where otherwise specified:

Available to One, Two, and Three Masted Ships


 * Navel Ram: Facilitates significant bow collision (ramming) capability delivering great damage while receiving almost no damage to itself nor the ship on which it is installed during the collision.


 * Copper or Iron Plating: Either one of the following:
 * Copper Plating: Improves maneuverability.
 * Iron Plating: Improves durability of the hull but reduces maneuverability.


 * Iron Scantling: Improves the durability of the hull.

Available to Two Masted Ships


 * Gun or Oar Ports on the Mid Deck: Either one of the following:
 * Mid Deck Gun Ports: Adds one row of gun ports to each broadside and adds 2 stern chaser gun ports.
 * Mid Deck Oar Ports: Adds one row of oar ports to each broadside and adds 2 stern chaser gun ports.

Available to Three Masted Ships


 * Gun or Oar Port Options on the Mid Deck and Lower Deck: Only one of the following:
 * Gun or Oar Ports on the Mid Deck Only: Either one of the following:
 * Option 1.1: Gun Ports on the Mid Deck: Adds one row of gun ports to each broadside and adds 2 stern chaser gun ports.
 * Option 1.2: Oar Ports on the Mid Deck: Adds one row of oar ports to each broadside and adds 2 stern chaser gun ports.
 * Gun or Oar Port Options on the Mid Deck and Lower Deck: Either one of the following:
 * Gun or Oar Ports Mid Deck and Lower Deck:
 * Option 2.1: Gun Ports on the Mid Deck and Oar Ports on the Lower Deck: Adds a row of gun ports to each broadside of the mid deck and oar ports to each broadside of the lower deck.
 * Option 2.2: Gun Ports on both the Mid Deck and Lower Deck: Adds a row of gun ports to each broadside of the mid deck and lower deck; and adds 4 stern chaser gun ports to the lower deck.
 * Option 2.3: Oar Ports on both the Mid Deck and Lower Deck: Adds a row of gun ports to each broadside of the mid deck and lower deck; and adds 4 stern chaser gun ports to the lower deck.



Main Deck Additions / Upgrades
Available to One, Two, and Three Masted Ships


 * Gun or Oar Ports on the Main Deck: Either one of the following:
 * Main Deck Gun Ports: Adds one row of gun ports to each broadside.
 * Main Deck Oar Ports: Adds one row of oar ports to each broadside.
 * Aftercastle: Raised deck with cabin(s) at the aft of the ship that adds 2 stern chaser gun ports and increases the ship's overall space and cargo capacity.
 * Boat Stand(s): Facilitates the additional storage of independent boat(s) above the main deck. The number of boat stands and size of the boat(s) that can be stored depends on the ship's size which is determined by the number of masts configuration and size rating configuration.


 * Davits: Facilitate the additional storage of independent vessels that can be carried on the ship. One set of two davits is required to carry one additional vessel. Bow, amidship, aft, and stern davits are added in two sets: one set on each side of the broadside ports instead of the default gun or oar ports. Astern davits are added as one set to the rear of the ship. The size of the vessels(s) that can be stored on each set of davits depends on the ship's size which is determined by the number of masts configuration and size rating configuration.

Available to Two and Three Masted Ships


 * Forecastle and Aftercastle: Raised structures above the main deck at the fore and aft of the ship that are internally divided into cabins at the level of the main deck and provide space for gun or mortar ports on the raised deck: The forecastle adds 2 bow chaser ports that facilitates all ship gun types including a cannon, carronade, or mortar. The Aftercastle adds 2 stern chaser gun ports. Both the forecastle and aftercastle increase the ship's overall space and cargo capacity.

Available to Two and Three Masted Ships with a Forecastle and Aftercastle:


 * Gun or Mortar Port Options on the Forecastle and Aftercastle:
 * Gun Ports on the Forecastle: Adds 2 bow chaser ports on all two and three masted ships and, on mid and heavy size rated ships, relocates broadside ports.
 * Gun Ports on the Aftercastle:
 * Mortar Ports on the Forecastle Bow Chaser:

Available to Three Masted Ships


 * Sterncastle: Raised decks with cabins at the stern of the ship that, if there isn't a forecastle and aftercastle, adds 2 stern chaser gun ports. The sterncastle also increases the ship's overall space and cargo capacity.





Rigging Additions / Upgrades
Available to One, Two, and Three Masted Ships


 * Wind Catching Sails: Improves sailing top speed.
 * Wind Wing Sails: Improves sailing acceleration.
 * Reinforced Sails: Improves sail durability.
 * Chain Rigging: Improves rigging durability and reduces speed to trim the sail(s).

Available to One, Two, and Three Masted Ships with Square Riggings


 * Stud Sails: Improves downwind performance.

Available to Two, and Three Masted Ships


 * Stay Sails: Improves upwind performance.

Flag
Ships can be decorated with flags at the bowsprit, foremast, mainmast, mizzenmast, and stern where applicable. See the article on flags for more information.

Beakhead
A beakhead is a decoration to the ship's bow.


 * Short Beakhead: A short protruding decoration to the ship's bow.
 * Long Beakhead: A short protruding decoration to the ship's bow.

Stern Gallery
The stern gallery adds wing-like features extending from the sides of the stern.


 * Quadrant Gallery: A quadrant shaped wing-like type of balcony.
 * Round Gallery: A circular shaped wing-like type of balcony.
 * Long Gallery: A rounded rectangular shaped wing-like type of balcony.

Stern Lanterns
Lanterns illuminate the area on the back of and behind ships.


 * Octogonal Lantern
 * Circular Lantern
 * Hexagonal Lantern
 * Square Lantern

Prow Ornaments
Prow Ornaments are figure heads that adorn the bowsprit of ships that aren't junk rigged or the bow of ships that are junk rigged ships.


 * Ball
 * Volute
 * Spear
 * Crown
 * Skull
 * Eagle
 * Lion
 * Serpent
 * Wolf
 * Dragon

Operation
Ship operation includes trimming sails and rowing with oars, steering the ship with the helm. It is possible to operate a ship with at least one human character but it is more effective to operate a ship with a larger crew of human characters. Under the rigging section of each ship configuration, the minimum dedicated sailing crew suggests the fewest crew members required to sail the ship by operating each of the sails and steer the ship with the helm. Note, the minimum dedicated sailing crew does not include the crew required to man the cannons and oars if equipped.

Ships move based on multiple factors including: ocean conditions such as currents, propulsion from oars by rowing, and propulsion from sails by sailing depending on wind conditions. See Environmental Conditions for more information weather and ocean currents, wind conditions, etc.

Ship Access Stations
In order for human characters to operate a ship, they must use one of the ship's access stations, most of which can be operated by one player and some of which can be operated by multiple players at a time. Ship access stations include:


 * Piloting Station:
 * Helm Station: Used for steering/piloting the vessel. Controls are as follows:
 * Steer Starboard: Gradually adjusts the rudder to steer the vessel starboard of its current heading within a set range.
 * Steer Port: Gradually adjusts the rudder to steer the vessel port of its current heading within a set range.
 * Sail Stations: See Sailing and Rowing.


 * Oar Stations: See Sailing and Rowing.


 * Hatch Stations:
 * Crew Hatch Station: Used for opening or closing the crew hatch in order to have access to a lower or upper deck if equipped. Going through the crew hatch from an upper deck leads to a companion way (stairs) which lead to the lower deck. Going up the companion way (stairs) leads to the hatch that opens to the upper deck. Controls are as follows:
 * Open/Close Crew Hatch.
 * Cargo Hatch Station: Used for opening or closing the cargo hatch in order to have access to a lower or upper deck if equipped. Since the cargo hatch is larger than the crew hatch and does not involve companion ways (staircases), it accommodates the transferring of multiple cargo at the same time and is efficient for transferring cargo down multiple decks at the same time. Depending on compatibility, certain large items, such as boats, cannot be transferred through the cargo hatch. Controls are as follows:
 * Open/Close Cargo Hatch.
 * Winch Stations:
 * Windlass Station: A winch at the bow of one masted ships used for raising and lowering the anchor or the trawl net beams, if equipped. Different from the capstan, the windlass can only be used by one crew member at a time. Controls are as follows:
 * Raise: Raises the anchor or trawl net beams, if equipped, to any desired level until fully raised.
 * Lower: Raises the anchor or trawl net beams, if equipped, to any desired level until fully lowered.
 * Capstan Station: A winch at the waist (middle) of two and three masted ships used for raising and lowering the anchor or the trawl net beams, if equipped. Different from the windlass station, the capstan station can be used by multiple crew members at a time for better performance. Controls are as follows:
 * Toggle Equip Capstan Levers: Reveals the capstan levers needed to operate.
 * Rotate to Raise/Lower: Human characters push the levers of the capstan in a circular motion around the capstan to raise or lower the anchor or trawl net beams, if equipped, to any desired level until fully raised or lowered.
 * Boat Stand Station: Used to launch or recover compatible boats adjacent to the ship. Controls are as follows:
 * Launch Boat: Launches the boat stand's stored boat if the boat stand currently has a stored boat.
 * Recover Boat: Recovers an empty boat to the boat stand if the boat stand is empty.
 * Davit Station: Used to raise and lower compatible vessels at the location in the water under the davits. Controls are as follows:
 * Raise: Raises compatible vessels to be carried by the davits.
 * Lower: Lowers the davit's stored vessel to be launched in the water.
 * Bilge Pump Station: Used to pump water out of the ship's hold. Controls are as follows:
 * Pump Up: Pump up contributes to pumping water out of the ship's hold if a previous pump was down.
 * Pump Down: Pump down contributes pumping water out of the ship's hold if a previous pump was up.
 * Galley Stove Station: Used to cook food or used to heat round shot to convert it to heated shot. Its size and capacity depends on the size of the ship. Controls are as follows:
 * Toggle Insert to Cook or Remove: Allows operators to insert compatible items for cooking if currently empty or allows operators to remove cooked items if present in the stove.