# Boats<no value>
Boats within the Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 world are SimObjects that can be added to water features, like rivers lakes and oceans. These SimObjects are defined through a `sim.cfg` file and can be a *basic* SimObject, or a *modular* SimObject. If it's modular then the package setup will be the same as that described for a [Modular SimObject](../modular-simobject-project-structure/), although the list of files and folders that are applicable within the *Common*, and *Presets* folders are the same as those listed below for basic SimObjects:

-   A [model](../../models/models/) folder (obligatory) which will have the `model.cfg` and `model.xml` files for the SimObject, along with the glTF files for the simobject.
-   A [texture](../../textures/textures/) folder (obligatory) which will have the `texture.cfg` and XML files for the SimObject.
-   A [soundai](../../../sound/sound/) folder (optional)
-   An [Airport](boats/#helipads) folder (optional, see the [Adding Helipads To Boat Objects](boats/#helipads) section for more information)
-   A [config](../../cfg-files/cfg-parameter-index/) folder (obligatory)

 

The only file that is obligatory in the *config* folder is the [sim.cfg](../../cfg-files/sim.cfg/) to define the basic boat properties, however you can also have an `ai.cfg` file, as well as the `camara.cfg` and `navigation_graph.cfg` files. Since the modular project structure is explained in detail [here](../modular-simobject-project-structure/), we'll look at the structure of a basic boat SimObject package setup:

{{< image-center
    src="images/5_Content_Config/SimObj/vehicles/boat_folder.png"
    alt="The Folder Structure For A Boat SimObject" >}}

 

Note that the model folder contains an `*.xml` file referencing {{< glossterm >}}lod{{< /glossterm >}}s and model behaviors - as described in the corresponding section here: `<Behaviors>` - and may also contain animation data (explained here: [Model Animation Definitions](../../models/animation-xml-properties/)). Like other SimObjects you may also include *additional* model and texture folders to create different *variations * that can then be used in the world.

 

The pages linked below outline the general requirements for the main configuration file used by all boat SimObjects:

-   [sim.cfg](../../cfg-files/sim.cfg/)
-   [sim.cfg Examples](../../cfg-files/aircraft-sim/sim-cfg-examples/)

 

 

### Sim.cfg

While boats are meant to go on water, they do share most of the same characteristics that [Ground Vehicles](ground-vehicles/) have, and should be configured similarly. However, there are a couple of unique parameters in the `[DesignSpecs]` section that will need to be given a value:

-   `SternPosition`
-   `shipCategory`

 

Additionally, you may want to configure the wake of the boat object using the [\[Effects\]](../../cfg-files/sim_cfg/#effects) section and this parameter:

-   `effects`

However this method is considered deprecated and you may prefer to configure and assign some [Visual Effects](../../../devmode/editors/vfx-editor/the-visual-effects-editor/) instead.

 

Finally, if the boat SimObject is to be used as an **aircraft carrier** then you should include the `[Carrier]` section and fill in the following parameters:

-   `carrier`

 

 

### Adding Helipads To Boat Objects

If your boat / ship is large enough to have a helipad, for example a cruise ship or large cargo supply ship. To be able to add the helipad, the boat SimObject will first need to have an "Airport" folder added, along with the appropriate airport XML file. This file should *only* contain a helipad definition, for example:

``` xml
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<FSData version="9.0">
    <Airport groupID="1" groupGenerated="FALSE" country="United States" name="Cargo Supply Pad" ident="PSUP" lat="26.080171999975" lon="-94.746390000000" alt="72.945445853285" magvar="5.18725" trafficScalar="0.7" airportTestRadius="2000" applyFlatten="FALSE" isOnTIN="FALSE" tinColorCorrection="TRUE">
        <Helipad parentGroupID="1" type="NONE" lat="26.0801715" lon="265.25332" alt="65" heading="90" length="13.0091" width="13.1887" surface="CEMENT" closed="FALSE" transparent="TRUE" apronControlIndex="1"/>
        <Start type="HELIPAD" number="1" designator="NONE" lat="26.0801715" lon="265.25332" alt="65" heading="90"/>
        <Aprons/>
        <PaintedElements/>
        <ApronEdgeLights/>
    </Airport>
</FSData>
```

 

The airport "ident" value given in the XML should also be used to name the XML file, for example `PSUP.xml`, and it *must be 4 characters long, unique, and not exist in the world* (essentially it is an {{< glossterm >}}icao{{< /glossterm >}} *prefix* and will have numbers added to it to create a full 8 character ICAO, for example: PSUP0001). The file should then be placed in a folder called "airport", beside the other folders for the SimObject (for modular SimObjects, this would be in either the *Common* or the *Presets* folder):

{{< image-center
    src="images/5_Content_Config/SimObj/vehicles/boat_folder_airport.png"
    alt="The Folder Structure For A Boat SimObject With A Helipad" >}}

This file now needs to be referenced in the boat `sim.cfg` file using the `AttachedAirport` parameter, as follows:

``` xml
[General]
AttachedAirport=PSUP.mbgl
```

Note that the file is referenced as an `*.mbgl`, *not* as an `*.xml`. This is because the airport XML will be compiled into an `*.mbgl` file and so needs to be referenced as such. The CFG file should also include the `HasMovingPlatform` paramater set to 1 (True), so that any landed helicopter will move along with the boat.