Originally posted by Faceplant8:

Originally posted by Sédri:

They aren't that tanky if you're at least at the iron age. Before they stick their head out of the water and scream, you can sneak attack them. But by then, if you have the huntsman bow, their health is already at half. Couple more arrows and they're gone. They are really easy to kill solo, believe me. If you're afraid of your boat taking damage, keep a stack of wood in your ship's storage, go to the nearest land and put down a workbench to repair.

The meat floats so you don't need to capture and bring it to land. You only want to capture them if you want the scales, but you don't need to for the meat.

I have killed a few with bows, but then you have to sail your boat around or risk drowning to get the meat. I seem to remember it sinking after a short amount of time as well, but I may be thinking of the scales.

Most of what meat/scales I have I got when one followed me to shore, so I was able to quickly take it down near land, which is much easier.

That said, I never eat the stew because I have no need for it normally, and it seems to precious to waste.

That's why in my previous reply I said to put up the sail. Stop the boat, shoot them with arrows, they die right next to you so you can just hop in the water to grab the loot. Time it right and you can even get the scales without them sinking.