As strategies continue to develop and new training methods emerge, it can be difficult to filter through the flood of information and figure out what actually works, especially when unrelated debates-like whether people should waste time discussing things such as buy OSRS gold-distract from actual gameplay progress. This guide cuts through the noise and breaks everything down into a clear, straightforward instructional path, giving you a reliable roadmap from levels 1 to 99 without the clutter or confusion.

1. Chart Every Sea You Can - Your Captain’s Log Matters

One of the most overlooked XP sources in Sailing is sea charting, which fills your Captain’s Log. Each completed chart gives a one-time XP drop, but together these rewards add up to a massive ~690,000 XP.

However, don’t rush blindly into uncharted waters. Many log entries require specific boat upgrades, stations, or Sailing levels. If you attempt them too early, you’ll simply get stuck or sink your ship. Instead:

· Level naturally.

· Upgrade the boat as new options unlock.

· Chart seas as each region becomes realistically accessible.

Fully discovering 70 seas unlocks a unique boat item that grants +2.5% Sailing XP-essentially a skilling outfit bonus for your ship. Get this sooner rather than later if you're planning a full 1–99 grind.

2. Prioritize Boat Upgrades and New Ports

Your boat is your toolkit, and upgrading it quickly is essential. Each new keel, hull, or station you unlock may grant access to:

· New ports

· New Sailing tasks 

· New sea regions

· Higher XP rates

Many ports offer specialized missions such as FedEx runs or hunting missions. Some of these even allow you to safe-spot enemies for consistent XP. Whenever you hit a new level bracket, review all available upgrades and make unlocking new ports a priority. Each one expands your options-and your XP per hour.

3. The Best Early-Game Method (1–30): Tasks + Charting + Exploration

Levels 1–30 are notoriously weak for XP, so the best approach is to focus on synergy rather than raw efficiency.

Here’s the recommended loop:

· Pick up port tasks.

· Sail out and complete them.

· Chart seas along the way.

· Explore new areas and try new boat stations.

· Return to port and repeat.

This method is not the fastest, but it’s smooth, varied, and fun. It also consistently unlocks upgrades and prepares you for the mid- and late-game grind. Players commonly reach 40k XP/hr, and skilled sailors pushing the optimal routes can exceed 80k XP/hr.

4. Use Your Boat Companions for Free Passive XP

Once you unlock boat companions, you gain access to one of Sailing’s most underrated systems. Companions can:

· Fight enemies

· Salvage items

· Assist with tasks

· Create passive XP opportunities

Some players run two companions salvaging simultaneously, effectively turning early-level Sailing into an AFK skill. While Salvage XP isn’t top-tier, it’s perfect for players who want low-effort progress-especially during busy real-life moments.

5. The Fastest 1–99 Path: Barracuda Trials (30–99)

Once you hit level 30, everything changes. You unlock Barracuda Trials, and from this point onward, they become the undisputed best XP method until 99.

· 80k+ XP/hr early in Jubbly Jive

· 150k–180k+ XP/hr at higher levels

· Three total courses, each with faster potential times

· Skill expression matters-better routing gives more XP

The Trials can be sweaty or relaxed depending on how hard you push. Even top players like Bodhi have said that if they could restart Sailing, they’d go straight from 30 to 99 using Trials alone.

6. Alternative XP: Salvaging (AFK or Sweaty Versions)

If Trials aren’t your style, salvaging is a flexible alternative. With two adamant salvaging hooks, you can:

· AFK for 35k+ XP/hr

· Send companions to one station while you run the second

· Add quality-of-life tools (plank sack, log basket, chisel, tackle box) to boost inventory space and get side-skill XP

For the hardcore clickers, 1.5–2-tick salvaging exists as a higher-intensity method. It won’t beat Trials, but it offers strong XP combined with loot.

Final Thoughts

Sailing is a massive skill with a ton of freedom, and there’s no single “right” way to train it. Whether you’re charting seas, running tasks, optimizing salvaging, or racing Barracuda Trials, the best plan is the one you enjoy enough to stick with. And while some players focus on efficiency or earning as much loot as possible, others simply enjoy the adventure-even if that means making less progress than someone chasing cheap RS gold or pure profit. If you find additional tricks during your own voyages, share them with the community-everyone is still discovering this skill together. Happy sailing, and may your boat stay afloat all the way to 99!