Chapter 63 The Ship of Dreams and the Ship of Reality

Chapter 63: Chapter 62: The Ship of Dreams and the Ship of Reality

"Next, his gaze shifted to a wider catamaran nearby.

"That’s a Leopard 40 sailing catamaran. It’s an even better option. Its twin-hull structure makes its everyday stability far exceed that of a monohull, and its speed isn’t bad, either. The deck is spacious, making it comfortable to live on, and it also comes with Support power. With its shallow draft and current position, the damage it sustained is likely minor.

"The downside is that it can’t withstand massive waves and strong winds."

He pointed to another large ship in the distance. It had a more luxurious design but was visibly listing severely, with apparent damage to its hull.

"That one... looks like a custom-built large luxury yacht. It’s estimated to be thirty meters long with an all-aluminum hull and luxurious amenities. However, the damage is too severe—the hull is completely cracked. Repair is almost impossible. Plus, it likely runs on a diesel-electric hybrid system. We can safely pass on that one.

"And over there are a few small fishing boats and speedboats. They’re fast and agile, but their endurance and ability to withstand storms are too poor. They aren’t suited for long-distance voyages and can only serve as auxiliary dinghies."

See? Now this was true professionalism.

Han Ning kept quiet, listening silently.

Xu Ming spoke rapidly, constantly pointing at different boats and listing their details as easily as the back of his hand:

"That half-sunken one—judging by its silhouette, it looks like a small coastal cruise ship. It has a decent tonnage, but two-thirds of it is completely submerged. It’s a lost cause...

"Huh? Wait! Boss, look at the innermost one, the ship near the corner of the breakwater."

Xu Ming’s gaze landed on the absolute limit of his field of vision.

A ship floated there, half-hidden by a semi-sunken crane and the wreckage of shipping containers. It was a deep blue all over, and its design didn’t resemble your typical recreational sailboat or yacht. Instead, it looked rugged and practical. The hull was relatively intact. Though covered in muck, its listing angle was slight, and the waterline was clearly visible.

"It’s... a modified version of the ’Explorer’ series ocean-going trawler!

"If we don’t factor in the power source, this type of ship is absolutely perfect for our current situation."

"We have to factor in the power source," Han Ning replied. "We have no way to find a massive amount of diesel, and electricity is a huge unknown."

"Uh, I know that. Boss, hear me out first." Xu Ming turned to Han Ning excitedly.

"I’ve seen a similar ship at a boat show before. The hull is incredibly durable, and its ability to withstand wind and waves is top-notch. It has a moderate tonnage, roughly three to five hundred tons, and its draft isn’t too deep.

"Most importantly, its original design was geared for harsh sea conditions and long-term operations. The power system is typically very reliable, and it has a massive fuel reserve. The ship comes equipped with a seawater desalination system, along with comprehensive freezer compartments and storage spaces.

"Look at its superstructure. It’s obviously been modified. The bridge has been elevated for better visibility, and extra communication antennas have been installed...

"Even if we don’t choose it, stripping the equipment from the ship would be incredibly useful to us."

Listening to Xu Ming list off the details like an expert, Han Ning asked directly, "Old Xu, given our current situation, which type of ship do you think is the most suitable?"

Xu Ming wiped the rainwater from his face and answered earnestly, "Boss, that depends on your specific needs.

"If you’re after speed and agility for quick relocation or exploration, those ten-meter-plus monohull or catamaran sailboats are excellent. For instance, the Blue Water 46 or the Leopard 40. They’re relatively simple to control, have a shallow draft so they won’t easily run aground, and can sail on wind power alone, reducing your reliance on fuel.

"If you want cargo capacity, stability, and long-term survival capabilities, that modified ’Explorer’ trawler is absolutely the best choice.

"It has a large tonnage, is rugged and durable, and can weather severe storms. Complete with a seawater desalination system and ample storage space, it’s practically a mobile fortress.

"However, the downsides are also obvious. Due to its large size and relatively deep draft, navigating it through these flooded urban ruins makes it prone to running aground or hitting obstacles.

"Fishing boats generally have low decks, which increases the danger level. Also, starting it requires a massive amount of fuel, which is very difficult for us to get right now."

Han Ning pondered for a moment before saying, "The ship I want needs to be sturdy enough to withstand storms and perhaps even the impact of some monsters.

"The space has to be large enough to hold the supplies we need, and it would be best if there’s room for me to grow crops.

"As for power...

"In the absence of fuel, it seems a sailboat is the only solution?"

Of course, Han Ning had another idea he hadn’t voiced. That was to use the Animal Companion feature to form a contract with a few giant aquatic creatures swimming in the water. Then, he could cultivate some incredibly strong vines or gather ropes sturdy enough for towing, allowing the creatures to pull the ship. The other monsters in the water could serve as their food source, maximizing the use of the environment.

However, this plan was currently still in the conceptual phase, as he couldn’t find any suitable creatures. Regardless, one had to walk before they could run. The priority was to find a ship and secure a foolproof escape route before worrying about anything else.

"Old Xu, based on these criteria, which ship do you think is the most suitable?"

Xu Ming paddled the water, scanning the ships faintly visible through the fog. His brain worked in overdrive, filtering out the options that didn’t meet Han Ning’s requirements. The boss’s demands were no different from asking for a brightly colored shade of black. He wanted his cake and to eat it too... It gave Xu Ming a bit of a headache.

Xu Ming weighed his words carefully. "Uh... Boss, to be honest, it’s very hard to find a ship like that in a civilian port.

"You want a large space to carry plenty of cargo while also being fast. That in itself is a contradiction. A warship could achieve both, but warships run on fuel, and energy is what we lack the most right now.

"Those luxury yachts with their aluminum hulls look beautiful and sturdy, but they’re severely damaged beyond repair and guzzle gas like crazy, so they’re out.

"The modified ’Explorer’ trawler has a large tonnage, is durable, and boasts a massive interior space, but its biggest problem is that it’s simply too heavy.

"It has a deep draft and high resistance. Even with the sails fully hoisted, it absolutely won’t be fast. In complex waters like this, its agility would be too poor, making it very easy to run aground or hit obstacles. And I’ve already mentioned the issue with the deck."

Despite the freezing weather, Xu Ming felt himself starting to sweat. He rubbed his head again and said, "Let’s keep going. We’ll swim around a bit more and keep looking."

"Alright." Han Ning knew his demands were stringent, so he didn’t make things difficult for Xu Ming.

The three people and one lizard swam along the pier line, carefully searching for a suitable ship. When they arrived at the southern side of the pier, Xu Ming’s head swiveled around, and his gaze landed on a ship. Suddenly, his eyes lit up.

His fingers tapped lightly against the water’s surface as he pointed in a direction. "Look over there, that ship!"

Han Ning looked in the direction Xu Ming was pointing. The hull was covered in a layer of algae, but the overall structure appeared relatively intact, with only a slight list. The towering masts were bare, devoid of any sails, though their structures were perfectly sound.

Xu Ming’s voice drifted over. "A deep-V bow, towering twin masts, and the hull looks incredibly robust...

"If I’m not mistaken, that’s highly likely to be a Wind Chaser ocean-going sailboat!"