Shipyard (Second Edition) is a strategic economic board game by designer Vladimír Suchý, set during the Industrial Revolution, a time when steam engines were gradually replacing sails. Players take on the roles of shipyard managers in the 19th century, competing to build the most successful fleet of commercial and military ships and send them on trial voyages.

The game is set in the year 1870, a booming era for shipbuilding. Players construct ships from various parts (bows, middles, sterns), equip them with crew and gear, and send them on shakedown cruises—test voyages through their own canals—earning points based on speed, equipment, and the fulfillment of specific objectives.

Players use dice to select actions on a unique action track. Each action shifts after being used, affecting the availability and value of future moves. Four separate rondels manage markets for crew, equipment, ship parts, and special abilities. Players collect ship components and assemble them into complete vessels, which they then launch into their canals. Points are earned during voyages and at the end of the game, where secret objectives and achievements—such as the prestigious Blue Riband for the fastest ship—are also scored.

Fans of the Industrial Revolution and maritime engineering will appreciate the game’s authentic atmosphere. It rewards careful planning, timely decision-making, and efficient resource management.

Shipyard is a thoughtful and thematically rich economic game that puts you in the shoes of a 19th-century shipbuilder, offering a strategic experience of constructing and managing your own fleet. 🚢