Can these boats float?

Many were built on a hull piece intended to float, but check the parts list of the individual set to see which hull it uses.

What is the oldest large boat in the theme?

The Maersk Line Container Ship (1650-1) from 1974 with 220 pieces is the earliest of the bigger models.

How many boat sets are listed?

The theme has 21 sets released between 1973 and 1996.

Boat

Sets: 21
Since: 1973
Newest set: 1996

Before ships became part of larger play worlds, a number of boats were sold as stand-alone models. This theme gathers 21 of them, released between 1973 and 1996.

Sets per decade

Sets per year

21 sets

1990s

1980s

1970s

About Boat

A theme defined by water

The Boat theme is a loose collection rather than a story-driven line. What links the sets is the subject: vessels built to sail, many of them designed around a hull piece so they could actually float. The range covers more than two decades, which makes it a useful place to see how ship design in bricks evolved from blocky 1970s hulls to more detailed craft with cranes, lifeboats and crew. The early boats from the 1970s have no figures at all, while later models come with a minifigure crew that fits the town sets of the same years.

Emergency services afloat

Fire and rescue boats make up a large share of the theme. Fire Fighter Ship (316-1) from 1978 has 142 pieces, Fire Boat (4025-1) from 1982 has 151 and Fire Fighting Boat (4020-1) from 1987 has 208. The largest set overall is Fire Rescue (4031-1) from 1991 with 365 pieces. Law enforcement is covered too: Police Patrol (4021-1, 1991) comes with 196 pieces, and C26 Sea Cutter (4022-1) from 1996, with 194 pieces, is the most recent of the bigger models.

Cargo and a famous name

On the commercial side, Cargo Carrier (4030-1) from 1987 reaches 323 pieces. Earlier still, the Maersk Line Container Ship (1650-1) from 1974 carries the name of a real shipping line and has 220 pieces, one of the more recognisable boats of its decade.

Rebuilding vintage vessels

Older boats often turn up without instructions or with a few pieces missing. Every set page here lists the full inventory, which makes it easier to check a second-hand boat before you buy it. If you have a box of loose bricks from the period, What can I build? on Bricoria shows which of these boats your collection could rebuild.

FAQ

Can these boats float?: Many were built on a hull piece intended to float, but check the parts list of the individual set to see which hull it uses.
What is the oldest large boat in the theme?: The Maersk Line Container Ship (1650-1) from 1974 with 220 pieces is the earliest of the bigger models.
How many boat sets are listed?: The theme has 21 sets released between 1973 and 1996.