Picking out your first grand piece online ship is probably the biggest milestone you'll hit after finally leaving the starter island. It's that moment where the game truly opens up, and you realize just how massive the ocean actually is. If you've spent any time at all in the First Sea, you know that trying to swim everywhere is a one-way ticket to a "Game Over" screen, especially if you've already downed a Devil Fruit. You need a deck under your feet, a hull that can take a beating, and enough speed to outrun a stray sea beast when you're just trying to get some questing done.
Most of us start exactly the same way: broke and desperate. You look at the shipwright and realize your pockets are looking a bit light for that shiny Galleon, so you settle for the Rowboat. Let's be honest, the Rowboat is basically a bathtub with a stick in it. It's slow, it has almost no health, and if a shark so much as looks at you funny, you're probably going down. But hey, it's a start. It gets you from Shells Town to Orange Town without drowning, and that's really all you can ask for in those first few hours of grinding levels.
Once you've saved up a bit of Peli, the Caravel is usually the next logical step. It feels like a massive upgrade at first. You finally have a sail, you move faster than a snail on land, and you actually look like a pirate instead of a guy lost at sea. The Caravel is a solid workhorse for the early game, but you'll quickly find its limits when you start venturing into rougher waters. The moment you see those red-tinted waves or hear the roar of something massive beneath the surface, you're going to wish you had something with a little more "oomph."
That's where the Galleon comes in. For a lot of players, the Galleon is the first grand piece online ship that feels like a real fortress. It's huge, it's got plenty of room for your friends (or just your random crewmates), and it can actually mount cannons that do decent damage. If you're planning on hunting Sea Beasts or trying to take down a Kraken, you really shouldn't be doing it in anything smaller than this. The health pool on a Galleon gives you that precious margin of error. You can take a few hits, repair the hull with some wood planks, and keep the fight going.
Speaking of repairs, don't even get me started on the stress of being the "ship guy" during a boss fight. There's always that one person in the group who has to sit there with the hammer, frantically clicking on the mast while everyone else is out there throwing fireballs and lightning at a giant monster. It's a thankless job, but without a healthy ship, the whole party is basically fish food. If you're the one owning the ship, make sure you've always got a stack of wood planks in your inventory. There is nothing worse than being in the middle of the ocean with a sinking deck and realized you forgot to restock at the last island.
As you progress into the Second Sea, the standard ships start to feel a bit basic. This is where the specialized vessels and the rare drops really start to shine. Take the Coffin Boat, for example. If you're a solo player, this thing is a dream. It's fast, it's small, and it has that unmistakable "Edgy Swordsman" aesthetic that everyone loves. It's inspired by Mihawk's boat, and it moves through the water with a precision that the bulkier ships just can't match. It's not great for a large crew, obviously, but for zipping between islands to check shop rotations or fruit spawns, it's hard to beat.
Then you have the Striker. If you've been lucky enough to get your hands on a Mera Mera no Mi, the Striker is basically a requirement for the vibes alone. It's powered by your fruit's heat, and it absolutely shreds across the water. It's one of those ships that makes people stop and look when you pull into a dock. Beyond the cool factor, its speed is a genuine mechanical advantage. In a game where travel time can take up a huge chunk of your play session, having a high-speed grand piece online ship is a massive quality-of-life improvement.
But let's talk about the real heavy hitters—the ships that require some serious grinding or a whole lot of luck. The Heart Submarine (or the Law ship) is a total game-changer. Not only does it look incredible, but it also has unique utility that makes it stand out from every other wooden boat in the game. Then there's the Great Tree Ship, which is just a flex of pure endurance and power. These aren't things you just stumble upon; they are trophies. When you see someone sailing one of these, you know they've put in the work.
One thing I think newer players overlook is the customization aspect. It's not just about which boat you buy; it's about how you set it up. Choosing your flag, picking your ship colors, and even just the way you park at the docks says a lot about your playstyle. I've seen some crews who have their Galleon looking like a coordinated war machine, and I've seen others that look like they've barely survived a trip through a blender. Both are valid, honestly. There's a certain charm to a ship that's clearly seen some action.
The sea in this game is dangerous, and it's meant to be. The developers did a great job of making the ocean feel like its own character. Whether it's the sudden fog, the rough storms that toss your boat around, or the literal monsters trying to eat your hull, your grand piece online ship is your only safe haven. It's your mobile base of operations. You store your fruits there, you respawn there, and you plan your next move on its deck.
I remember the first time I tried to cross to the Second Sea. I was so nervous about my ship's durability that I spent way too much time over-preparing. I had a full crew, maxed out wood planks, and we were all on high alert. Looking back, that's actually the most fun I've had in the game. There's a specific kind of tension that only comes from navigating a ship through dangerous territory with your friends. You're all staring at the horizon, waiting for a ship or a fin to pop up.
If you're currently saving up for your next vessel, my advice is to think about what you actually do most in the game. Are you a boss hunter? Get the Galleon or something sturdier. Are you a solo explorer? Save up for a Coffin Boat or a Striker. Are you just playing with a big group of friends? Go for the biggest thing you can afford so everyone has a spot to stand. No matter what you choose, just remember to keep it repaired. There's nothing more embarrassing than having a legendary grand piece online ship and losing it to a single shark because you forgot to fix the hull after the last island.
The journey from a tiny rowboat to a massive, fruit-powered warship is one of the best progression arcs in the game. It's a literal representation of your growth as a pirate. Every time you upgrade, the world feels a little bit smaller and a little more manageable. So, keep grinding those quests, keep saving that Peli, and eventually, you'll be the one people are staring at when you sail into the harbor with a ship that looks like it could conquer the entire world. Safe sailing, and try not to get eaten by any Krakens on the way.