Boat

Lore & Background

In the world of Saints Row, Steelport's harbor and Stilwater's canals are not just scenic backdrops; they are part of the Saints' operational map. Boats appear as a distinct vehicle class, slotting alongside cars, motorcycles, and aircraft in the garage and on the open map. They let the player cut across water bodies that would otherwise force a long detour around the coastline, making them a practical tool in the middle and late stages of each game when the city's geography demands speed.

The franchise's signature absurdity extends to the water. The Submarine in Saints Row: The Third is a small, cartoonishly proportioned submersible that can dive beneath the surface, giving the player a brief underwater perspective on the harbor. It is less a serious naval craft and more a joke made drivable, perfectly in keeping with the series' tone of escalating ridiculousness. Regular speedboats and larger watercraft round out the category, offering different handling profiles and, in some titles, the ability to fire weapons while afloat.

As with every vehicle in the series, boats are fully subject to the Saints' customization philosophy. The player can repaint, rewrap, and accessorize them to match the gang's current look, whether that means a clean corporate palette for a front-man disguise or a garish, chrome-and-flames monstrosity that screams 'we do not care about maritime regulations.'

In Their Own Story

The harbor at 2 a.m. smells of diesel and salt. A speedboat idles at the dock, engine ticking in the humid air, its hull a fresh coat of matte black with a single gold stripe the width of a finger. The Saint at the helm checks the rearview mirror — the water is glass, the city lights smear into long ribbons behind. A horn honks from somewhere on the bridge. They gun the throttle, the bow lifts, and the whole city tilts sideways in a spray of white. Below the surface, the Submarine sits parked on the seabed like a toy someone dropped, its little porthole catching a sliver of moonlight. The Saint will come back for it later. Tonight, the open water is enough.

Reader's Guide

Saints Row 2 (2008): Boats appear as a drivable vehicle class in Stilwater. They are found at docks and can be hot-walked or purchased. They serve as a fast way to cross the water separating Stilwater's districts. Handling is arcade-style, consistent with the series' driving feel.

Saints Row: The Third (2011): The boat roster expands. The most notable entry is the Submarine, a small submersible that can dive underwater, offering a unique vantage point on Steelport's harbor. Standard speedboats also appear. Vehicles are obtained through purchase, mission rewards, or finding them in the world. Customization options (color, wrap) match the franchise's vehicle tuning menu.

Saints Row IV (2013): Boats remain available in the alien-occupied Stilwater. The tone shifts toward the surreal, and watercraft fit the game's space-opera absurdity. Obtainable through standard vehicle acquisition methods.

Saints Row (2022): The reboot includes water vehicles in Steelport. Specific boat names and unlock conditions follow the game's vehicle acquisition systems.

Across all entries, boats are a secondary vehicle class — fewer in number than cars, but valued for their unique traversal role. They are not the headline purchase, but the Submarine in particular has become a cult favorite for players who enjoy the series' commitment to the ridiculous.

Did You Know?

• The Submarine in Saints Row: The Third is a small submersible that can operate underwater, giving the player a brief look at the harbor floor — a first for the franchise's vehicle roster.
• Boats in Saints Row share the same customization philosophy as cars: color, wrap, and accessory options let the player match the watercraft to the gang's current aesthetic.
• The boat category has appeared in every major Saints Row entry from Saints Row 2 onward, making it a consistent part of the series' vehicle taxonomy.
• The franchise's tone means even a 'serious' vehicle like a speedboat is rendered with the same exaggerated proportions and cartoonish physics as a tank or a helicopter.