Is this on a dedicated server? Sounds like the administrator of a dedicated server has enabled decay of items not used for a specific time possibly.

Safest place to park a boat is always inside a chest

When I go on my exploration travels I've gotten into the habit now of making sure my boat is not in the path of two portals (because of that weird 'feature' where your teleporting body literally smashes into your boat if it is in the way). Haven't lost a boat this way since.

Originally posted by Jaunitta 🌸:

Is this on a dedicated server? Sounds like the administrator of a dedicated server has enabled decay of items not used for a specific time possibly.

Solo play, just me.

Originally posted by undeadnightorc:

When I go on my exploration travels I've gotten into the habit now of making sure my boat is not in the path of two portals (because of that weird 'feature' where your teleporting body literally smashes into your boat if it is in the way). Haven't lost a boat this way since.

Never heard that, it is a possibility

If your boat was in hostile territory, and there were any mobs around that you didn’t see before porting away, they may have destroyed it shortly after you left. If that was the case, and the boat was not in the radius of a bench, it will despair over time.

If a mob destroys the boat the items are dropped on the ground.
The items on the ground will despawn after time unless it is in a workshop aura.
Mobs can also destroy the workbench first and then the boat.

So the only safe place for a boat is in your inventory, unless you build a base.
Which is why this guy suggested this:

Originally posted by Ryzilynt:

Safest place to park a boat is always inside a chest

Only thing is, mobs can attack the chest and destroy the chest which leads back to the original issue.

Keep in mind destroying your boat with a weapon will give you back all the materials to make it again.

Originally posted by undeadnightorc:

When I go on my exploration travels I've gotten into the habit now of making sure my boat is not in the path of two portals (because of that weird 'feature' where your teleporting body literally smashes into your boat if it is in the way). Haven't lost a boat this way since.

I reckon your right, that definitely sounds plausible, I'm going try this out and see if I can confirm this suspicion. Or stvelepor go check if you had a portal connection that might have caught your boat along with it when portalling and try travel along that route and see if you find your boat