sailing or using a cart back and forth. The boat has its limits as well. Early models don't have a lot of storage on-board but the better model has a decent size.

SPOILER ALERT TIP
You cannot put anything else on the boat (falls off or just won't except it) except from what I hear is the wooden cart. Someone said before (haven't tried it) but you push the cart on the boat with extra stuff in the actual cart you can carry stuff quicker/less trips.

I personally use gates, so much easier to have a GATE ROOM hooked to all points. As you explore you can route a new gate to the sleeping house you live in. ALWAYS ALWAYS have a backup gate ready. Just my opinion, not trying to destroy the game for ya.