Research is only the first part of hull protection
The DREADMOOR demo's hull-protection upgrade requires three separate actions: study the blueprint, craft the protection at the lathe, and install the pieces in the boat's hull slots. Reach this stage by completing the Chromatic Scales task and speaking to John the Fifth. Raise the boat to the second level in the dry dock before fitting the components.
The demo-labelled Mr. Feudal player experience documents this route, while Z1 Gaming's later playtest shows the need for a second protection piece. The official DREADMOOR Steam page describes reinforcing the hull as part of preparing the vessel for dangerous travel.
Unlock the blueprint through John's quest
First clean and repair the boat. The following merchant task provides Wind-up Tin so you can catch three Softgrazers and process them for Chromatic Scales in the documented demo.
Return to John with the scales. He provides Scraps of Knowledge and tells you to study the hull-protection and upgraded-engine blueprints. Open the upgrade tree using your current control prompt and select the relevant hull blueprint.
The recording calls this weak hull protection. The developer's July demo announcement names Hull Armour Mk I among planned vessel upgrades. Those descriptions establish the general upgrade family, but they should not be used to invent a full armor tier list or assume every build has identical names and costs.
Craft the required protection at the lathe
Dock the boat inside the dry dock and use the lift control to raise it to the second level. The lathe workbench is upstairs, where the recorded route crafts the protection components.
Read the blueprint's current material list. In the demo recording, insufficient Coral Fiber and Bug Slime lead to another collection trip. Crafting one piece is not necessarily the end of the objective: the route includes fitting another piece before John advances the engine conversation.
If materials are missing, return to the known collection sources rather than spending resources on an unrelated engine blueprint. Angler's Island supplies harvestable coral, while adhesive beetles on rocks behind the trading post provide the slime used in this progression.
Install the pieces and finish the objective
Carry each crafted component to the boat and use the appropriate hull module slot to install it. Check the objective after the first piece, then craft and fit the remaining required protection.
Once the task advances, speak to John about the engine. He describes the reinforced boat as sturdier for night travel and collisions, then explains that you also need a replacement engine. That is a progression statement, not a guarantee of invulnerability or a confirmed numerical damage reduction.
Hull reinforcement also differs from the earlier repair-tool step. Applying Bug Slime to damaged sections repairs the boat; crafting and installing protection adds the upgrade. If the quest asks for protection, repeating the repair action does not substitute for installing components.
FAQ
Why did researching hull protection not change my boat?
Research unlocks the blueprint. You must still craft the component at the lathe and install it in the hull slot.
Why is the quest still active after one plate?
The documented route needs a second piece. Check the remaining objective and available hull slots.
Does protection make night sailing completely safe?
No such guarantee is established. John says the boat is sturdier, but the demo still warns about nighttime threats.