How to Steal Boats in GTA

Last Updated: October 19, 2021

Starting from Grand Theft Auto 3 up to the present version of the game, boats get you from one island to another very quickly. You don’t have to run through curves and turns, or across traffic; you can simply just cut your way through the water on to your next destination. Boats are pretty convenient, but unlike cars, these vehicles can only be seen and used on rivers or seas. Stealing a boat too is pretty difficult, especially when you’re trying to get one that’s moving.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Stealing Docked Boats

1
Go to a dock. Boats can only be found parked on docks. Make your way to the edges of the city where large seaports and small docks can be found.
2
Look around for cops. Although cops are rarely present around the edges of the city or inside seaports, you still need to check your surroundings for any law officer. If a cop sees you stealing a boat, your wanted level will go up one star.

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3
Board the boat. Approach the boat and stand right beside it while it’s tied to the dock. Press the Y (Xbox), Triangle (PlayStation), or F (PC) button, and your character will jump onto the boat and board it.
4
Sail away. Once the boat’s engine starts up, press the Right Trigger (Xbox), L2 (PlayStation), or W (PC) button to accelerate and sail away from the dock.
5
Lose the cops. Cops will chase after you if you stole a boat while an officer is around. To lose the police, look at the mini map on the lower left corner of the screen to check the range of the police, marked by a large flashing circle, that’s chasing you. Just sail straight out of their range and they should give up on chasing you, making the boat yours.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Stealing Moving Boats

1
Go near bodies of water. Drive to edge of the city or to any bodies of water like rivers or lakes that run through the game map, and look for a boat you want to steal.
2
Study the path of the boat. Boats operated by non-playable civilians will move around the water in a certain pattern, usually in circles. Take a moment to watch how the boat sails around to get to know its course of direction.
3
Intercept the boat. Jump on the water and swim towards the area on the water where you think the boat will pass.
- Keep in mind though that only main characters from GTA San Andreas and later versions of the game can swim (GTA 4, GTA 4: Episodes of Liberty City, and GTA 5), limiting this method to these versions of GTA. If you’re playing GTA versions prior to San Andreas, your character will drown once you jump into the water.
4
Board the boat. Once the boat passes by right beside you, press the Y (Xbox), Triangle (PlayStation), or F (PC) button, and your character will jump onto the boat and board it, throwing whoever’s driving it out on to the water.
5
Sail away. Once you have control of the vehicle, press the Right Trigger (Xbox), L2 (PlayStation), or W (PC) button to accelerate and sail away from the dock.
6
Lose the cops. Cops will chase after you if you stole a boat while an officer is around. To lose the police, look at the mini map on the lower left corner of the screen to check the range of the police, marked by a large flashing circle, that’s chasing you. Just sail straight out of their range, and they should give up on chasing you, making the boat yours.

Community Q&A

Question

How do I keep boats I've stolen?

Marco

Community Answer

If you are in story mode, you have to buy a marina to store it. Online, you cannot keep the boat unless it is yours.