Cheesy Rafts
Life on the open water in ARK: Survival Ascended can feel painfully slow. The vanilla raft sputters along, barely outrunning a determined Megalodon, and the structure limit forces you to choose between a bed and a storage box. The Cheesy Rafts mod sweeps those frustrations aside, delivering two upgraded watercraft that feel like a genuine evolution of the base game's clunky boats.
This mod is a must-have for ocean-based tribes, solo players building floating bases, or anyone who simply hates the sluggish handling of the standard raft. With faster speeds, better fuel economy, and the ability to reverse, these boats transform naval travel from a chore into a joyride. And the best part? Both engrams cost zero points to unlock, so you can get straight to building without sacrificing your leveling plan.
What Does Cheesy Rafts Add?
Cheesy Rafts for ARK: Survival Ascended introduces two distinct vessels, each designed to fix the most annoying quirks of the vanilla counterparts. Here is the full breakdown of what you get:
- Cheesy Wooden Raft: A significant upgrade over the standard raft. It moves considerably faster, handles tighter turns, and supports a much larger structure footprint. You can finally build a proper two-story floating base without hitting the build limit halfway through.
- Cheesy Motorboat: The motorboat gets a similar treatment. It is faster than the vanilla version, sips fuel instead of guzzling it, and offers an expanded structure cap. This makes long-distance resource runs or ocean exploration far more practical.
- Reverse Gear: Both the Cheesy Wooden Raft and the Cheesy Motorboat can reverse. This sounds simple, but it is a game-changer when navigating narrow river channels, docking at awkward angles, or escaping a tight spot with a pursuing Leedsichthys.
- Increased Camera Distance: The mod pulls the camera back further than the vanilla game, giving you a wider field of view. You can see threats approaching from the horizon and maneuver your larger builds without the camera clipping through walls.
Balancing and Crafting Costs
While the performance boosts are generous, the mod does not hand you everything for free. The engrams cost zero points, but the crafting requirements are doubled compared to the standard recipes. You will need double the wood, thatch, fiber, and hide for the raft, and double the metal, cementing paste, and oil for the motorboat. The one exception is the black pearls required for the motorboat, which remain at their original cost. This keeps the mod balanced while still rewarding players who invest the time to gather the extra materials.
Version Compatibility and Mod Support
Cheesy Rafts is built for the current generation of ARK: Survival Ascended, specifically supporting the latest major game versions on PC and consoles. The mod is lightweight and does not conflict with popular building, QoL, or map mods. It works seamlessly alongside stack-size mods, breeding overhauls, and new map additions. However, as with any mod, always check the mod page for the latest update notes to ensure compatibility after a major ASA patch.
For those wondering how to install, the process is straightforward. Navigate to the mod manager in the main menu of ARK: Survival Ascended, search for "Cheesy Rafts," and subscribe. The mod will download automatically. If you prefer a more streamlined approach, the foxygame.net launcher offers a one-click install for Cheesy Rafts, pulling the latest compatible version directly into your mod folder without fiddling with manual downloads. The launcher's add-on catalog also tracks updates, so you will never be stuck on a broken version after a game patch.
Building a Better Floating Base
The expanded structure limit is arguably the most impactful feature. With the Cheesy Motorboat, you can construct a fully functional mobile base complete with a smithy, forge, refrigerator, and multiple beds. The increased camera distance makes it easier to place foundations and walls accurately, reducing the frustration of misaligned snap points. The ability to reverse also means you can back your massive creation into a dock or a hidden cove with precision, rather than performing a tedious multi-point turn.
For PvP players, the speed boost is a tactical advantage. A Cheesy Motorboat can outrun most wild threats and close the distance on enemy rafts quickly. The reverse gear allows for hit-and-run tactics, letting you fire from the rear deck while retreating. On PvE servers, the fuel efficiency saves you a significant amount of gasoline over time, making long ocean circumnavigations far less resource-intensive.
Final Thoughts on Cheesy Rafts
If you spend any time on the water in ARK: Survival Ascended, Cheesy Rafts is an essential addition to your mod list. It fixes core issues with the vanilla watercraft—speed, structure limits, and maneuverability—while adding a practical reverse function that the base game inexplicably lacks. The doubled crafting costs keep it from feeling overpowered, and the zero-point engrams mean you can access the boats early in your playthrough. Whether you are a solo survivor looking for a cozy floating shack or a large tribe planning a naval fleet, this mod delivers exactly what it promises. To get started, simply download Cheesy Rafts from the in-game mod browser or your preferred launcher, and never suffer through a slow, clumsy raft crossing again.