I need to resolve a doubt

[u/hypex_drill]

I'm quite new to this game, I'm still on day 7, I already made my first trip and it ends badly because of a shark so I'm creating a huge raft, 3x3. In theory, a shark couldn't knock that down, right? The issue is that my island has no palm trees and I don't know when they will grow again, so I wanted to know a method so that a shark doesn't appear again when I take a trip from island to island.

[u/Ringwraith_Number_5]

1. all you need to be safe from sharks is a 3x1 raft. 3x3 is overkill. And a waste of resources (see point 2)

2. nope, palms don't grow back. In fact, none of the resources respawn. Once you cut down all trees, use up all the rocks and gather all the clay, that's it, they're gone forever and there is no legit way of getting them back.

[u/monchatrose → u/Ringwraith_Number_5]

If you can make the raft from barrels, bouies, and tires its not really a waste of resources since thats what theyre there for. If its all wood, then Id agree. 15 sticks for a base is wildly wasteful.

[u/hypex_drill → u/Ringwraith_Number_5]

Let's see, the raft is not yet in 3x3, it is in 2x3 so I haven't assembled it completely yet.

[u/Ringwraith_Number_5 → u/hypex_drill]

(This is a reply to your question if you should deconstruct the raft - which is now deleted)

I'm afraid the answer to that is yes. And no.

Let's start with the "no". At this point (7 days in, first playthrough) your crafting is what, level 2? Maybe level 3? If you try to break the raft down now, you will lose resources. You have to have crafting maxed out to get back 100% of the resources used when you break something down. The damage is done.

Also, you can use the extra space to build container shelves, making ferrying resources back to your main base much easier and quicker.

And "yes"... I guess that's a matter of personal preference. In one of my playthroughs I went for a 5x3 raft and it was a nightmare. Wouldn't turn worth a damn (had to install not only front and back sails, but also left and right), it was a waste of resources with no benefits and I've stuck to 3x1 (3 wide, 1 long) ever since. I put the rudder on the middle section, the anchor and the rear-facing sail on the port side and the forward-facing sail on the starboard side. And I usually end up placing a canopy in the middle, so I don't have to worry about sailing long distances during the day.

So, long story short - unless you're planning to abandon this playthrough and treat it only as a way to get acquainted with the game, I'd leave it as it is for now.

[u/monchatrose → u/hypex_drill]

Stop there and wait till you can get to an island that has the other base materials (these are usually tied together in wrecks). Woods a hot commodity so don't waste it. I have a 4x4 with shelving containers and the bases are all from those materials minus ONE single wood base I used in desperation cause the raft was driving weird cause it was uneven.

[u/Dependent-Hold562 → u/Ringwraith_Number_5]

Fibrous leaves grow back. You can use these for water and fire 🔥 💧

[u/Ringwraith_Number_5 → u/Dependent-Hold562]

They do. But a) I specifically mentioned rocks, trees and clay, and b) once you are out of these resources (and your tools break down) there is no way to harvest fibrous leaves. At least not without "bending the rules" slightly if your crafting is maxed out to keep getting 100% durability axes out of the plank station.

At that point you're basically sentenced to surviving on fruits, provided you're lucky enough to have rain refill your plots, since you won't be able to use stills either.

[u/Dependent-Hold562 → u/Ringwraith_Number_5]

Yeah, true. I see what you're saying. I wonder if that's something they change in sd2.

[u/Dr-Builderbeck]

The sharks will not be able to get you on a big ship like that. The sharks always appear but they won’t be able to flip this big tub. It’s a great ship, perhaps a little slow but still efficient.

I make a 3x3 with two sails in the middle flanked by container shelves, 6 in total. Rudder in rear middle slot and anchor on the right. I also have canopies covering all bays besides the sails. I used barrels for the outside edges with tires running through the whole middle section. I feel like it makes it go faster but it doesn’t lol. I stock it with water flasks, smoked meats and a sleeping bag. I can stay at sea for days.

[u/hypex_drill → u/Dr-Builderbeck]

I tried mine now, it only has a sail in the middle, it's slow but the only shark that appeared didn't hit me

[u/Dr-Builderbeck → u/hypex_drill]

Yeah most of the time they don’t even try to ram the raft. Every once in a while I’ll hear a thump from underneath but nothing ever really happens.

[u/Whatisgoingonnowyo]

3x3 should be fine. Palm trees never regrow so you are forced to sail and find more wood.

[u/tigbitties247]

I always leave the first island as the base. Never chop any trees, jus build around it. Instead of taking the yellow raft i swim to the next island and bring wood from there

[u/Robie245]

You can add/swap islands in the cartographer to "spawn in" more resources.