Originally posted by Itharus:

It occurs to me that if more nastier monsters are added to the sea biome, then returning by sea to your main base with your ore will become impossible as a solo player, as you cannot sail the boat and fight the monsters at the same time. If your boat cannot move, it's a sitting duck and gets destroyed.

This is frankly unacceptable :(

So... how would this be solved, other than by enabling ore through portals? Adding NPCs to sit in your boat with bows and protect it?

I have sailed both the Karve and the Longship and have yet to have it destroyed at sea, but have had them destroyed while parked near the shore. As to fighting while sailing, I do it all the time by using my bow.

If you are sailing (not rowing) the boat continues ahead and you can walk around and take shots at the nasty snake monster.