Landlubbers, the countdown has begun! Old School RuneScape is about to receive its biggest update yet: the brand-new Sailing skill. This isn't just another skill; it's a promise of vast oceans to explore, powerful ships to command, and untold adventures waiting beyond the horizon.

To ensure you hit the ground running on launch day, this preparation guide contains everything you need to know. We'll cover the official release schedule, the exact steps to begin your journey, and a complete checklist of items, skills, and quests you can work on right now.

Sailing Launch Day: The Official Schedule

Mark your calendars! The Sailing skill will be released on Tuesday, November 19th, 2025. Jagex is planning a carefully managed launch to ensure a smooth release. Here is the official timeline (all times are UTC):

  • 07:15 – An in-game system update timer will go live.
  • 08:00 – Game worlds will go offline briefly for the update that deploys the Sailing skill.
  • 08:00 - 08:15 – Worlds come back online. You can log in and play as normal, but Sailing will remain locked.
  • 08:15 - 10:00 – Jagex will run final, crucial checks on the live worlds to ensure stability.
  • ~10:00 – Assuming all checks are successful, Sailing will be unlocked for all members without another reboot. You can start training immediately.

Key Information for the 08:00-10:00 Window: As soon as the worlds come back online after 08:00, the Sailing skill will officially exist in the game's code. This has two immediate effects:

  1. Your Max Cape will stop working as you no longer have the maximum total level.
  2. Your account will officially have Level 1 Sailing on the HiScores as soon as you log out.

How to Start Your Sailing Adventure on Launch Day

Getting started is designed to be accessible for all members.

  • Quest Requirement: You must complete the new introductory quest, Pandemonium.
  • Skill Requirements: There are no skill requirements to start this quest.
  • Location: On launch day, head to the docks in Port Sarim and find two new NPCs, Will & Anne, to begin.

The Pandemonium quest will serve as a hands-on tutorial for boat navigation. Upon completion, you'll be well-rewarded for your efforts and ready to begin your journey:

  • 1 Quest Point
  • Full access to the Sailing skill
  • Access to The Pandemonium, the new dedicated Sailing hub
  • Your very first boat: a trusty Raft
  • A starting chunk of Sailing XP
  • The indispensable Captain's Log tool

The Ultimate Preparation Checklist

Why wait for launch day? You can get a massive head start by preparing now. Having these items, skills, and quests ready will save you countless hours and GP when the skill goes live.

Items to Stockpile

Shipbuilding and upgrading are central to Sailing. Expect the Grand Exchange prices for these materials to spike significantly on release.

  • Logs & Planks: Normal, Oak, Teak, and Mahogany
  • Bars & Nails: Bronze, Iron, Steel, Mithril, Adamant, and Rune
  • Other Items: Rope, Swamp Tar, Swamp Paste, Flax, Cannonballs, and a large stack of Coins.

While not required to start, having these completed will allow you to access all of the new content Sailing has to offer much sooner.

Recommended Quests:

  • Children of the Sun
  • The Corsair Curse
  • The Fremennik Isles
  • Royal Trouble
  • Lunar Diplomacy
  • Making Friends with My Arm
  • Song of the Elves
  • Recipe for Disaster: Pirate Pete subquest

Recommended Skill Levels:

  • Gathering: 92 Woodcutting, 91 Fishing, 74 Mining
  • Artisan: 94 Smithing, 92 Construction, 84 Fletching, 73 Crafting, 93 Cooking, 89 Herblore, 92 Farming
  • Combat/Other: 87 Thieving, 77 Hunter, 78 Slayer, 65 Attack, 65 Ranged

Understanding Ship Upgrades & Construction

Your ship is a core part of the skill, and you'll manage it at a Shipyard, accessed by speaking to a Shipwright at most major ports.

  • Customization: The Shipyard functions like a Player-Owned House. You must bring your own hammer, saw, and materials to build and upgrade your ship.
  • The Construction Level Skip: Don't have a high Construction level? No problem. For most basic and mid-tier boat upgrades (up to Mithril/Mahogany), you can pay the Shipwright a fee to build it for you.
  • Long-Term Goal: While you can bypass early requirements, the highest-tier upgrades cannot be skipped and will require up to 84 Construction. Training this skill in advance is a wise long-term investment.

Special Considerations for Ironman Accounts

  • Regular Irons: Stockpiling the materials listed above is crucial. Sailing also introduces a new forge that doubles the speed of making cannonballs, a massive future benefit.
  • Hardcore Irons: The sea is a dangerous, multi-combat area. If your boat capsizes, it is a safe death, returning you to port at 1 HP. However, if you are killed by an enemy while on your boat, this is NOT a safe death and will cost you your status.
  • Ultimate Irons: You can use the Cargo Hold, but with fewer slots. Items like the Plank sack and Log basket will be extremely useful for carrying materials to the Shipyard.

The launch of Sailing is a monumental event for Old School RuneScape. By following this guide and preparing in advance, you can ensure a smooth and efficient start, spending less time scrambling for materials and more time exploring the vast, new ocean.

Need help with the preparation grind? → Our OSRS Skilling Services can get your Construction, Smithing, and other stats ready for launch. → Knock out the recommended quests with our secure OSRS Questing Services. → Stock up on all the materials you'll need by visiting our OSRS Gold page.```