Posted on 17 April 2026
Windrose Ships Guide: How to Unlock the Ketch, Brig, and Frigate
by Jolynne M.
Whether you want to haul cargo between islands, chase down enemy pirates, or turn your ship into a floating fortress packed with cannons, choosing the right vessel in Windrose makes a huge difference. While you begin the game with nothing more than a tiny rowboat, you will eventually unlock three major ship classes: the Ketch, Brig, and Frigate.
Each ship offers more storage, more cannon slots, and greater power, but upgrading your fleet takes time, Piastres, and a mountain of crafting materials.
In this guide, we'll explain how to unlock every ship in Windrose, where to get the blueprints, the full crafting recipes, and which ship is best for your playstyle.
How Ships Work in Windrose
Unlike many survival games, you do not build your ship piece-by-piece. Once you unlock a ship blueprint, you simply gather the required materials and craft the vessel at a Wharf.
To create any new ship, you will need:
- A Wharf
- The correct ship blueprint
- All required crafting materials
- Enough space to launch the vessel
The Wharf also lets you manage, repair, and swap between ships you already own.
The First Ship: Ketch
The Ketch is the first proper ship you unlock in Windrose. You receive it during the early main quest "I Need A Bigger Boat."
Instead of building a brand-new ship, you repair a damaged vessel washed up on shore.
How to Unlock the Ketch
- Progress through the early tutorial quests.
- Complete the quest "I Need A Bigger Boat."
- Repair the stranded ship using the materials below.
Ketch Repair Materials
| Material | Amount |
|---|---|
| Wood | 100 |
| Nails | 20 |
| Coarse Fabric | 20 |
| Rope | 10 |
Once repaired, the Ketch becomes your first real ship and unlocks crew management and sea travel.
Ketch Stats
| Stat | Ketch |
|---|---|
| Cannon Slots | 8 |
| Storage | Small |
| Speed | Medium |
| Durability | Low |
| Best For | Early exploration and learning naval combat |
The Ketch is not particularly powerful, but it is cheap, reliable, and more than enough for the early islands.
How to Unlock the Brig
The Brig is the next major upgrade and is significantly stronger than the Ketch. It has more storage, more health, and nearly double the cannon capacity.
To unlock the Brig blueprint, you must:
- Reach Reputation Level 2 with the Brethren faction
- Visit the merchant at Tortuga or another Brethren settlement
- Purchase the Brig blueprint for 1,000 Piastres
Once you have the blueprint, head back to your Wharf and gather the required materials.
Brig Crafting Recipe
| Material | Amount |
|---|---|
| Nails | 200 |
| Wooden Planks | 200 |
| Coarse Fabric | 120 |
| Copper Ingots | 80 |
| Timber | 40 |
| Linen Fabric | 40 |
| Rope | 40 |
| Shipwright's Tools | 30 |
Brig Stats
| Stat | Brig |
|---|---|
| Cannon Slots | 14 |
| Storage | Medium |
| Speed | Medium-High |
| Durability | Medium |
| Best For | Mid-game exploration, trading, and naval battles |
The Brig is widely considered the best all-around ship in Windrose. It offers enough firepower to handle most threats while still being fast enough to travel efficiently.
If you are only planning to build one upgraded ship for most of your playthrough, the Brig is likely the best choice.
How to Unlock the Frigate
The Frigate is currently the strongest ship available in Windrose. It is larger, tougher, and capable of carrying an absurd number of cannons.
To unlock the Frigate blueprint, you need:
- Reputation Level 4 with the Brethren faction
- 3,000 Piastres
- Access to the high-level merchant that sells Frigate plans
Because of its cost and required materials, the Frigate is generally considered an endgame ship.
Frigate Crafting Recipe
| Material | Amount |
|---|---|
| Wooden Planks | 320 |
| Nails | 300 |
| Linen Fabric | 240 |
| Timber | 160 |
| Foothills Iron Ingots | 120 |
| Tarred Planks | 80 |
| Tarred Fabric | 80 |
| Rope | 80 |
| Shipwright's Tools | 50 |
Frigate Stats
| Stat | Frigate |
|---|---|
| Cannon Slots | 36 |
| Storage | Large |
| Speed | Slow-Medium |
| Durability | Very High |
| Best For | Endgame combat, boss fights, and large-scale naval battles |
The Frigate is not especially fast, but its incredible durability and massive cannon count make it the deadliest ship in the game.
If your goal is to dominate naval combat or take on high-level enemy fleets, the Frigate is the ship you want.
Ketch vs Brig vs Frigate
| Feature | Ketch | Brig | Frigate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unlock Time | Early Game | Mid Game | Late Game |
| Cannon Slots | 8 | 14 | 36 |
| Storage | Small | Medium | Large |
| Cost | Very Low | Moderate | Extremely High |
| Speed | Moderate | Fast | Slower |
| Best Use | Exploration | Balanced Gameplay | Heavy Combat |
For most players:
- Choose the Ketch to get through the early story.
- Upgrade to the Brig as soon as possible.
- Save for the Frigate once you are deep into the late game.
Ship Variants and Factions
As you progress, you may also unlock special ship variants tied to different factions.
Currently, the most common variants are:
- Brethren ships
- Blackbeard ships
Brethren variants usually have more durability and are designed for sustained combat.
Blackbeard variants are faster and can often equip larger cannons, making them ideal for aggressive hit-and-run tactics.
For example:
- A Blackbeard Brig is faster and can carry heavier cannons.
- A Brethren Frigate has more health and survives longer in battle.
If you enjoy mobility and fast attacks, Blackbeard ships are often the better choice. If you prefer tanky, reliable ships, Brethren variants are stronger.
Best Ship to Build First
If you are wondering which ship to prioritize, here is the simplest progression path:
- Repair the Ketch.
- Save up for the Brig blueprint.
- Use the Brig for most of the game.
- Build the Frigate once you have extra Piastres and late-game resources.
The Brig gives the best balance between cost, speed, and power, making it the best overall ship for most players.
Final Tips for Building Ships Faster
Before starting your next ship project, make sure to:
- Build extra storage for materials.
- Stockpile Copper, Wood, Rope, and Fabric early.
- Set up Fast Travel Points near resource-heavy islands.
- Save your Piastres instead of spending them on minor upgrades.
- Upgrade your crafting stations before trying to build the Frigate.
The resource grind for larger ships is steep, but once your new vessel is complete, the upgrade is absolutely worth it.
Ready to rule the seas? With the right ship and a properly equipped crew, you will be able to take on everything Windrose throws at you.
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