Swamp is the place they step up and teach you the value of potions/meads.

Setting sail is fine and all... Karve isn't the best for open ocean but it can work.

The big issue is that it sounds like you made landfall in the swamp.

Swamps and boimes after that can be very dangerous to the unaware. My advice would be that in future you land in a "safe" biome <meadows or black forest> and explore the edges while you collect resources. The swamp offers a lot of things and building up your food and making potions before you really venture in and explore is the safest way to approach it.