Yup, there's two different sizes of ships, a smaller faster one that can carry 4 slots of items and a larger Longboat that can carry 18 slots of items. I usually build my bases near an Ocean or inlet because mid and late game the Ocean becomes a highway for transporting metals. A Dock that can accommodate a small ship and a big ship if the base is just for me or for more than that if I'm playing with other people is fairly necessary.