In How to Fish, the first boat engine upgrade is the $230 engine in the shack next to the old man on Island 2, and the best engine is the $860 Dual Motors upgrade in the shack by the grill on Island 4.
How to Fish, the co-op fishing shooter from Dazed Games on Steam, runs your progress across five islands, and your boat is what carries you between them. Two of those engine purchases are worth planning around: a cheap early upgrade that gets you moving, and the top-tier motor near the end. Everything else in between is optional.
The two engine upgrades that matter
| Upgrade | Where to get it | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| First engine | Island 2 — shack next to the old man | $230 |
| Mid-tier engine | Island 3 | Unlisted |
| Dual Motors (best) | Island 4 — shack by the grill | $860 |
Key You only need to remember two shacks. The Island 2 engine is your first buy and it pops the Getting an upgrade achievement the moment you purchase it. Much later, the Dual Motors engine on Island 4 is the fastest boat in the game and unlocks I am speed. A mid-tier engine sits on Island 3 as well, but it’s a detour rather than a destination.
Buying your first engine on Island 2
Kill the spider crab on Island 1
Bait your rod with a beer can to lure out the long-legged creature that keeps stealing the old man’s beer, then punch it down. It drops a shell.
Return the shell to the lighthouse keeper
Hand the shell in and he gives you the boat keys, which is what actually unlocks travel between islands.
Sail to Island 2
With the keys in hand, take the boat to the next island.
Buy the $230 engine
Head to the shack next to the old man and purchase the engine. The upgrade unlocks the moment you buy it.
The Island 2 engine is the cheapest way to unlock Getting an upgrade, so grab it the second you land rather than saving up for anything fancier.
Should you wait for a better engine?
Do not wait: buy the first boat engine for $230 on island 2, because it is the cheapest way to unlock Getting an upgrade. The better engine to target later is Dual Motors for $860 on island 4, which unlocks I am speed.
Getting the best engine: Dual Motors on Island 4
Reach Island 4
Progress through the islands until you arrive on Island 4.
Find the shack by the grill
The engine vendor here sits in the shack next to the grill.
Buy Dual Motors for $860
Purchase the Dual Motors upgrade. This is the best engine in the game and buying it unlocks I am speed.
Making the boat fly
Separate from any engine, there’s a boat achievement worth knowing about: I’m the bird now, earned by making the boat fly. To do it, put the boat in the water, place one bundle of dynamite underneath it, and detonate. The blast launches the boat into the air but does not destroy it, so you can pull this off any time without setting yourself back.
Related How to Fish guides
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do you upgrade the boat engine in How to Fish?
Buy the $230 engine upgrade at the shack next to the old man on Island 2.
Can you get the Getting an upgrade achievement with a later engine?
Yes. The mid-tier engine on Island 3 also grants Getting an upgrade, but the Island 2 upgrade is cheaper.
What is the best boat engine in How to Fish?
The best boat engine is Dual Motors, which costs $860 and is sold in the shack by the grill on Island 4.
Which achievement unlocks when you buy the best engine?
Buying the best engine for the boat unlocks I am speed.
How do you make the boat fly?
Put the boat in the water, place one bundle of dynamite underneath it, and detonate it. This unlocks I’m the bird now and does not destroy your boat.
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