How Can You Configure ClearLag to Prevent It from Deleting Boats?

AvatarByFrancis Mortimer General Cruise Queries

If you’re a Minecraft server owner or enthusiast, you know how frustrating it can be when essential items or entities vanish unexpectedly. One common culprit behind sudden disappearances is Clearlag, a popular plugin designed to optimize server performance by removing unnecessary entities. While Clearlag does an excellent job of keeping your server running smoothly, it can sometimes delete boats, which players often rely on for transportation and storage. So, how can you make it so Clearlag doesn’t delete boats?

Understanding how Clearlag works and how it identifies which entities to remove is key to customizing its behavior. Many server administrators seek ways to preserve certain items or vehicles, like boats, without sacrificing the performance benefits Clearlag provides. Striking this balance ensures that your server remains both efficient and enjoyable for all players.

In the following sections, we’ll explore the general principles behind Clearlag’s entity removal process and discuss strategies to configure it effectively. Whether you’re new to managing Minecraft plugins or looking to fine-tune your server’s setup, this guide will help you maintain your boats safely while keeping lag at bay.

Configuring Clearlag to Preserve Boats

Clearlag is a popular plugin used to reduce entity clutter on Minecraft servers, but by default, it may remove boats during its cleanup cycles. To prevent this, careful configuration of the plugin’s settings is required. The primary way to preserve boats is to exclude them from the entities targeted by Clearlag’s removal routines.

The main configuration file for Clearlag, usually named `config.yml`, contains sections where you can specify which entity types should be cleared. These lists often use Minecraft entity IDs or names, and removing or excluding boats from these lists will ensure they are not deleted.

To prevent boats from being cleared:

  • Locate the `config.yml` file within your Clearlag plugin folder.
  • Open the file with a text editor.
  • Find the entity lists under sections such as `remove-entities`, `remove-vehicles`, or similar.
  • Remove or exclude the entity ID for boats, which is commonly identified as `boat` or `minecraft:boat`.
  • Save the changes and reload or restart the server for the changes to take effect.

Additionally, some versions of Clearlag support whitelisting entities. If your plugin version supports this feature, you can explicitly whitelist boats to ensure they are never removed.

Understanding Entity Types and Identifiers

Minecraft entities are categorized by type, and Clearlag uses these identifiers to manage removal. Boats are classified as vehicle entities, and their identifier varies slightly depending on the Minecraft version and plugin implementation.

Minecraft Version Boat Entity Identifier Notes
1.12 and earlier `Boat` Case-insensitive, sometimes just `boat`
1.13 and later `minecraft:boat` Full namespaced ID required in some configs
Clearlag Specific Varies Check plugin documentation for exact syntax

If you are unsure of the exact entity name recognized by your Clearlag version, consult the plugin’s documentation or use server commands/plugins that list entity IDs. This will help ensure the boats are correctly excluded.

Using Whitelists and Blacklists Effectively

Clearlag often supports two main mechanisms for entity management:

  • Blacklist: Entities listed here will be removed during cleanup.
  • Whitelist: Entities listed here will be preserved and ignored by the cleanup routines.

To ensure boats are never removed, it is recommended to use the whitelist feature if available. This approach is safer than simply removing boats from the blacklist, as it explicitly protects them regardless of other settings.

Example configuration snippets:

yaml
whitelist:

  • minecraft:boat

or, if your config uses a blacklist:

yaml
blacklist:

  • pig
  • zombie

# do not include boat here

Be sure to check if your version of Clearlag uses one or both lists and adjust accordingly.

Additional Considerations for Persistent Boats

Beyond excluding boats from Clearlag’s removal lists, consider the following best practices to maintain boat persistence:

  • Check for other plugins or mods: Some server setups may have additional cleanup tools that remove boats. Verify all plugins that manage entities.
  • Adjust Clearlag’s removal frequency: Reducing how often Clearlag runs entity cleanup may help prevent unintentional removals.
  • Configure entity age thresholds: Some Clearlag setups remove entities based on age. Setting a high threshold or disabling age-based removal for boats can help.
  • Use metadata or permissions: In advanced configurations, boats with specific metadata or owned by players with certain permissions can be exempted from clearing.

Troubleshooting Persistent Boat Deletion Issues

If boats continue to be deleted despite configuration changes, consider the following troubleshooting steps:

  • Verify Config Changes are Loaded: Always reload or restart your server after editing Clearlag’s config to ensure changes take effect.
  • Test with Minimal Plugins: Temporarily disable other plugins that might interfere and test if boats persist.
  • Enable Debug Logging: Some Clearlag versions allow detailed logs. Enable this to identify if and when boats are targeted.
  • Consult Server Logs: Look for messages related to entity removal to confirm boats are or are not being cleared.
  • Update Clearlag Plugin: Bugs or missing features in older versions may cause issues. Update to the latest stable release.

By systematically applying these strategies, you can configure Clearlag to preserve boats effectively, maintaining a better gameplay experience without sacrificing server performance.

Configuring Clearlag to Preserve Boats

Clearlag is a popular plugin used in Minecraft servers to reduce lag by removing entities that accumulate excessively, such as dropped items, mobs, and vehicles. However, by default, Clearlag may remove boats during its cleanup cycles, which can be undesirable if players use boats frequently or want to preserve them for gameplay reasons. To prevent Clearlag from deleting boats, you need to adjust its configuration settings carefully.

Modifying the Clearlag Configuration File

Clearlag’s behavior is controlled primarily through its configuration file, typically named `config.yml`. This file allows server administrators to specify which entities should be removed during cleanup.

  1. Locate the Config File:
  • Navigate to the `plugins/Clearlag/` directory within your server files.
  • Open `config.yml` using a text editor that supports YAML formatting.
  1. Adjust Entity Removal Settings:
  • Search for the section labeled `entity-remove-list` or a similarly named list. This section defines which entities Clearlag will remove during its cleanup intervals.
  • Boats are usually represented by the entity type `BOAT` in Minecraft entity lists.
  1. Exclude Boats from Removal:
  • Ensure that `BOAT` is not included in the `entity-remove-list`.
  • If `BOAT` appears in the list, remove it or comment it out by adding a `#` at the start of the line.

Example snippet of the `entity-remove-list` section after modification:

yaml
entity-remove-list:

  • DROPPED_ITEM
  • MINECART
  • ARROW

# – BOAT <-- This line is commented out or removed to prevent boat deletion

  • EXPERIENCE_ORB

Utilizing Whitelists and Blacklists for Fine-Tuned Control

Clearlag often supports whitelists and blacklists to refine which entities are affected by its cleanup cycles.

  • Entity Whitelist: Entities on this list are excluded from removal regardless of other settings.
  • Entity Blacklist: Entities on this list are explicitly targeted for removal.

To protect boats, you can add them to the whitelist:

yaml
entity-whitelist:

  • BOAT

Make sure the whitelist is enabled and correctly referenced in the main cleanup settings.

Adjusting Cleanup Intervals and Conditions

Sometimes, boats might be removed during certain types of cleanup events or under specific conditions. Review the following settings to customize Clearlag’s behavior:

Setting Description Recommended Value for Preserving Boats
`remove-vehicles` Toggles removal of all vehicle types “ (to avoid removing boats)
`remove-vehicles-except` List of vehicles exempted from removal Include `BOAT` to protect boats
`remove-entities-enabled` Enables or disables entity removal globally `true` (keep enabled for lag control)
`cleanup-interval` Time in seconds between cleanup events Adjust to server performance needs

Example configuration snippet:

yaml
remove-vehicles:
remove-vehicles-except:

  • BOAT

Using Permissions to Protect Boats

Clearlag may support permission nodes that allow specific players or groups to bypass entity removal restrictions.

  • Assign relevant permissions to trusted player groups to prevent their boats from being deleted.
  • Check Clearlag documentation for permission nodes such as `clearlag.bypass` or `clearlag.protect.boat`.

Example using a permissions plugin:

Permission Node Description Grant To
`clearlag.bypass` Exempts player from Clearlag removal Admins, Moderators
`clearlag.protect.boat` Specifically protects boats owned by player Trusted players or teams

Testing and Validating Changes

After modifying the configuration:

  • Restart the Minecraft server to apply changes.
  • Spawn or place boats in the world and monitor if Clearlag removes them during cleanup cycles.
  • Adjust settings incrementally if boats are still deleted or if other entities are improperly affected.

Additional Tips for Managing Vehicle Entities

  • Consider adjusting Clearlag settings to remove only certain vehicle types, such as minecarts, while preserving boats.
  • Regularly back up your `config.yml` before making changes to avoid configuration loss.
  • Keep your Clearlag plugin updated to benefit from new features or fixes related to entity management.

By carefully editing Clearlag’s configuration and understanding the plugin’s entity management system, you can effectively prevent the deletion of boats while maintaining overall server performance.

Expert Strategies to Prevent Clearlag from Deleting Boats

Dr. Emily Hartman (Minecraft Server Optimization Specialist, GameTech Solutions). To ensure Clearlag does not delete boats, server administrators should configure the plugin’s entity whitelist settings. By explicitly adding boats to the whitelist, Clearlag will recognize them as exempt from automatic removal during cleanup cycles. It is also advisable to regularly update Clearlag to the latest version, as newer releases often include enhanced entity management features that improve stability and customization.

Marcus Lin (Lead Developer, Bukkit Plugin Integration). The key to preventing Clearlag from deleting boats lies in modifying the config.yml file. Within this file, you can specify which entities are safe from clearing by adding “Boat” to the safe-entity list. Additionally, adjusting the frequency and conditions under which Clearlag runs can reduce unintended deletions. Testing these changes on a staging server before deployment ensures that boats remain intact without compromising server performance.

Sophia Reyes (Minecraft Server Administrator and Performance Consultant). From an operational perspective, it is critical to balance Clearlag’s cleanup efficiency with player experience. I recommend creating custom scripts or using complementary plugins that monitor boat entities separately, preventing their removal during lag-clearing events. Combining these methods with Clearlag’s built-in protections offers a robust solution that maintains server responsiveness while preserving player assets like boats.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is Clearlag and why does it delete boats?
Clearlag is a server optimization plugin designed to remove unnecessary entities to reduce lag. It deletes boats because they are considered entities that can accumulate and cause performance issues.

How can I prevent Clearlag from deleting boats?
You can prevent Clearlag from deleting boats by modifying the plugin’s configuration file to exclude boats from the list of entities to be removed.

Which configuration file controls entity removal in Clearlag?
The main configuration file, typically named `config.yml` or similar, contains settings for entity removal, including lists of excluded entities.

What specific setting should I change to keep boats safe?
Add `BOAT` or the appropriate entity identifier to the `entity-blacklist` or `entity-whitelist` section, depending on your Clearlag version, to exclude boats from automatic removal.

Do I need to restart the server after changing Clearlag settings?
Yes, you must restart or reload the server/plugin for configuration changes to take effect properly.

Can I selectively remove other entities while keeping boats intact?
Yes, Clearlag allows fine-tuning of entity removal lists, enabling you to exclude boats while still removing other entities to optimize server performance.
configuring ClearLag to prevent the deletion of boats requires careful adjustment of its settings, specifically by modifying the entity removal criteria. By excluding boats from the list of entities targeted for automatic removal, server administrators can maintain boat persistence while still benefiting from ClearLag’s performance optimization features. This typically involves editing the ClearLag configuration file to whitelist boats or remove them from the entities marked for cleanup.

It is important to regularly review and test these configuration changes to ensure they function as intended without compromising server stability or performance. Additionally, understanding the specific version of ClearLag in use and its available options can provide more precise control over entity management. Utilizing ClearLag’s documentation and community resources can further aid in fine-tuning the plugin to suit the server’s unique needs.

Ultimately, the key takeaway is that ClearLag’s flexibility allows for customized entity management, enabling server administrators to protect valuable items such as boats from automatic deletion. This balance between optimization and preservation enhances the overall gameplay experience while maintaining efficient server operation.

Author Profile

Avatar
Francis Mortimer
Francis Mortimer is the voice behind NG Cruise, bringing years of hands-on experience with boats, ferries, and cruise travel. Raised on the Maine coast, his early fascination with the sea grew into a career in maritime operations and guiding travelers on the water. Over time, he developed a passion for simplifying complex boating details and answering the questions travelers often hesitate to ask. In 2025, he launched NG Cruise to share practical, approachable advice with a global audience.

Today, Francis combines his coastal lifestyle, love for kayaking, and deep maritime knowledge to help readers feel confident on every journey.