Comparing cheap vs expensive Lego boats, LEGO sets are celebrated for their creativity and detail, but have you ever wondered if LEGO boats, ranging from the simplest to the most intricate builds, can float?
In this blog, LEGO boats from a $1 custom build to a $1,000 Titanic replica, discovering if these mini marvels can survive a water challenge.
This blog captures the highlights of each build, from a Minecraft pirate ship to a Viking vessel, and even a Titanic replica—each boat bringing its surprises and mishaps.
- Testing a range of LEGO boats, from budget to luxury
- Exploring if each boat model can float
- Featuring popular sets, including Minecraft, Technic Catamaran, and Titanic
Let’s dive into the world of LEGO boats and discover which sailed to success and which sank in defeat!
Let the testing begin…
1. The $1 Custom LEGO Boat
The first boat we’ll be testing is this $1 custom Lego boat made with a few Brown Lego pieces which is just the first of 12 Lego boats. We will be testing and trying to survive.
Now it’s time to fill up a container to simulate an ocean for the first boat and the moment of truth the boat’s not floating but we could see the boat surviving this for quite a while. Well, maybe not.
We’re going to set aside the water in the freezer which you’ll see later.
This is the cheapest boat in the testing of cheap vs expensive Lego boats.
2. The $15 LEGO Minecraft Pirate Ship
The second boat up for testing is this $15 Lego Minecraft pirate ship. It comes with a Minifigure in a pirate skin, captaining a small sailboat. It comes with a separate dock to pick up other voyagers and also comes with a squid and a camel.
We won’t be needing any of these. Chad will take over Captain duties much better. This bathtub will serve as a perfect substitute for a Minecraft ocean. I’ve got a really good feeling about this boat.
Let’s see if it floats.
Unfortunately, it looks like we have a second boat that doesn’t float poor Chad. After a second attempt, it looks like the boat’s going nowhere except down the drain.
3. The $20 LEGO Sailboat
The next boat up is a $20 Lego sailboat. I mean literally, it has just over 100 pieces and uses a sail from this plastic sheet. It comes with a daughter and her seasick father as well as this cute doll but these two surely aren’t qualified to be sailing.
So it’s time for Chad to take over and be the captain, “I’m the captain.”
Now time to test the boat it floats. “Go Chad Go”. The boat seems to handle the wind surprisingly well. He’s just standing there.
4. The $30 Fire Rescue Boat
Time to Lock and Load Chad boat number four is a $30 fire rescue boat that comes with two boats the first one is a small raft that’s caught on fire and the other is the main fire rescue boat there to save the day.
It comes with a quad jetpack guy to help put out the fire. These blue pieces can be loaded into the large water cannon on the boat for additional Firepower. Chad’s ready to put the boats to the test.
Starting with the raft, Chad floats now. How about the fire rescue boat?
Solid, two for two.
Now what happens if a fire rescue boat catches on fire and after burning for over 2 minutes straight, there isn’t much left of the boat? Things got destroyed.
5. The $33 Sailboat Adventure
The fifth boat up for testing is a sailboat Adventure at $33. It comes with a man and a woman in life. Fest and a pair of dolphins. The boat is named Eloise apparently and is tricked out in gold trim. The sail is able to move so maybe it’ll catch some wind.
Let’s set the figures to the side and let Captain Chad steer the boat. After removing the water base, it’s time to set sail for this test. I decided to head up to the lake for a larger body of water and a tougher challenge.
Here we go…
Not only was the water really dirty, but will the Lego boat stand? No chance, RIP Chad.
“Did you enjoy our LEGO boat tests? Let us know your thoughts and any experiences you’ve had with LEGO boats in the comments!”
6. The $45 Goat Boat
Up next is the goat Lego boat which costs $45, the final build closely resembles the ship from the movie. It comes with some pretty epic-looking Minifigures including Thor, King, and Valkyrie as well as Corg and Gore.
Let’s be honest though the goats are the real winners in this set. Wait is that Chad now time to put it to the test and another boat that doesn’t float properly. I’m sure it couldn’t get any worse for it though well on second thought Samson destroyed the boat.
7. The $50 Technic Catamaran
The seventh Lego boat up is this Technic catamaran which costs $50. It looks a lot like a real catamaran and even has the functions of one, like this knob here to move the Rudders as well as a piece that pushes in to move the sails.
It even has daggerboards that can be moved up and down. Unfortunately, there isn’t anywhere for Chad to stand. So, we’ll place him inside one of the holes. “Don’t leave me here.”
This boat made easy work of the lake. It did however almost end up sailing away but it eventually came back. Click here for its detailed review.
Cheap vs expensive Lego boat comparison table
8. The $120 Pirate Ship
Now back to the boats, next up is this pirate ship which costs $120. It’s well built and has some nice details like a black skull on the sail, a mermaid on the bow, and a ship wheel on the stern.
It also comes with these three Nic-looking pirate Minifigures and also this shark. Chad won’t be joining us on this journey of Cheap vs expensive Lego boat because it’s going to get a bit rough.
The pirate ship stood zero chance against the power of the sea boat. If you are interested in an Eco-friendly Lego alternative then you can read here.
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9. The $140 Viking Ship
Number 9 is this $140 Viking ship which looks very realistic to the boats the Vikings used and has some nice details. It comes with two female Vikings and two male Vikings as well as this cow in case they get hungry on their journeys.
This serpent also comes with a boat but I’m sure that won’t cause any issues. Now, Viking Chad is ready to set sail.
It’s floating, amazing!
10. The $160 Arctic Boat Set
For boat number 10, I went to Target and spent $160 on this Arctic boat set and maybe some other sets that were on clearance, and here we go.
Now hold on, give me a minute to explain anyway the set comes with quite a few bags and these two large boat pieces. So, let’s quickly build it. It turned out to be a lot bigger than I expected and comes with some extra bits to go along like this helicopter that can land at the front of the ship.
This research vessel can be ever so slowly dropped down into the water and also this small raft can be dropped off the side of the boat there’s even a toilet inside. These seven Minifigures could Captain the boat just fine but well I think you know where I’m going with this.
All right! Let’s see if the boat will float…
The boat’s floating. It would be a shame if some random Iceberg were to hit this boat. Though rest in peace to Chad and rest in peace to me because I get to clean this all up.
Want to know about some most complex Lego sets? Here it is, refer to this blog.
11. The $400 Lord of the Rings Pirate Ship
Now the second to last boat is a pirate ship from The Lord of the Rings. It costs almost $400. It’s packed full of details and looks pretty menacing.
The Minifigures included are these three soldiers of the Dead Aragorn Legalis and Gimy as well as these two Orcs and a pirate. Maybe this pirate ship will do better than the previous one.
Hey, it’s floating…
You got this Chad, you won in the testing of Cheap vs expensive Lego boats. Are you serious right now? Bro, well another.
“What type of LEGO challenges would you like to see next? Comment your ideas below, and we might just take on your suggestion!”
12. The $1,000 Titanic
Let down it’s time for the big boy, the final vote is a Titanic which costs $1,000 and contains over 9,000 Lego pieces which makes it the third largest Lego set.
Inside are three separate boxes that contain bags upon bags upon bags, 66 in total. It also comes with three massive instruction booklets. This looks pretty daunting but hey, it’s time to get started the build is broken up into three separate large chunks that connect.
This ship is massive. It’s chock full of all sorts of details like lifeboats, the windows, the four iconic Smoke Stacks, the propeller, and even an interior including the engine.
But will all these details help the boat float? Now it’s time to test the big ship and so I’m going to go in the pool. All right we’ve got Chad on board. Let’s see if this thing floats.
Moment of truth. Here we go.. 3, 2, 1
It didn’t even float for a second. I honestly had high hopes for this thing but it just doesn’t float. Let’s hope Chad made it out.
This is the most expensive ship in the testing of cheap vs expensive Lego boats.
A LEGO Gachapon Machine and Western River Steamboat are your next LEGO Ideas sets!
Testing Result:
- $1 Custom LEGO Boat: Small but fierce, it fought hard to float!
- $15 Minecraft Pirate Ship: Full of character but unfortunately couldn’t stay above water.
- $20 Sailboat: Surprisingly floated and even braved some wind.
- $120 Pirate Ship: Sunk despite its intimidating design and black skull flag.
- $1,000 Titanic: An incredible build with lifeboats and details but sank instantly.
Conclusion
Testing LEGO boats from all price ranges was an adventure! While smaller boats like the $20 sailboat and the $50 catamaran managed to stay afloat, even the most expensive models like the Titanic couldn’t hold up in the water.
Unexpected Results:
- Most boats, regardless of price, struggled to float.
- Standout floaters: The $20 sailboat, the $50 catamaran, and the $400 Lord of the Rings ship.
This experiment shows that while LEGO boats bring endless fun and intricate details, most are better left on display than in the water. You can too see the The Most Expensive and Rare LEGO Sets: A Collector’s Dream
FAQ
Can LEGO boats really float, or do they sink?
While some LEGO boat sets, like basic sailboats or rafts, can briefly stay afloat, most LEGO boats aren’t designed to float due to gaps in the bricks that allow water to seep in. Larger, detailed models, like the LEGO Titanic, tend to sink quickly when placed in water. LEGO enthusiasts have found that adding a sealed base or using Technic parts can improve floatability, but for the most part, LEGO boats are best displayed on land.
What are the best LEGO boat sets for realistic designs?
Sets like the LEGO Ideas Pirate Ship and the Viking Ship are known for their realistic details, capturing historical boat styles with precision. For modern looks, the Technic Catamaran has moveable sails and rudders that mimic real sailing dynamics. These sets are fan favorites for their intricate details and functional elements that give a lifelike feel to each build.
How can I make my LEGO boat waterproof?
To make a LEGO boat waterproof, builders often use a clear sealant on the underside of the bricks or line the boat with airtight plastic. Another tip is to layer the bricks tightly to reduce gaps where water could seep through. Some builders also suggest using LEGO Technic pieces, as they create a more cohesive base that might improve buoyancy. With a few extra modifications, you can make your LEGO boat better suited for a water challenge.
What’s the largest LEGO boat set ever released?
The LEGO Titanic, with over 9,000 pieces, is currently the largest LEGO boat set released and a favorite among serious LEGO collectors. It’s a detailed model of the famous ship, complete with interiors and lifeboats, and spans an impressive 53 inches in length. Other sizable LEGO boats include the Pirate Ship and Pirates of Barracuda Bay, both popular for their immersive building experience and display potential.
Which LEGO boat sets have the most unique accessories and Minifigures?
Sets like the Goat Boat from the Thor collection and LEGO Ideas Pirate Ship are packed with interesting accessories, such as mythical Minifigures, pirate gear, and even animals like goats and dolphins. These extras add character and play value to the builds. The LEGO Minecraft Pirate Ship also includes fun accessories like a dock, squid, and camel, making it a great set for themed adventures and creative storytelling.
“Now it’s your turn! What’s your all-time favorite LEGO set? Drop it in the comments below – whether it’s a boat, a classic set, or an epic new build, I’d love to hear about it!”