NOTE: I purchased the Goat Boat (76208) myself, and this review is not sponsored in any way. I strive to always provide my honest opinion on LEGO® products. If you are curious about how I generate scores in this review, I invite you to read about the True North Bricks rating system.

INTRODUCTION

As I sit down to review the Goat Boat (76208), the set is already retired. It left the LEGO® catalogue almost a year ago. I bought it months ago on liquidation somewhere. However, I can’t remember where or when I bought it, nor can I remember how much I paid for it. I have a vague recollection it was 40% off… perhaps at Chapters… but who knows for sure. All I can say with certainty is that I did not pay full price for it. I bought it as a mod project when I first began mulling building a custom LEGO® Viking world. That time has come, and I am glad I did not let this set slip through my fingers. But, before I mod the set, I thought I’d review it as it was meant to be.

SET SPECIFICS

QUICK REVIEW

FULL REVIEW

---

Value Score Breakdown:

The Goat Boat came at an okay cost/brick at full price. I would not go so far as to say it was a good value, but it was not a bad value either. Compared to LEGO® sets in general, it was about average. However, compared to other Superheroes sets I’ve reviewed, it leans towards the expensive side. Considering both of these comparisons, I rate the cost/brick at 78%.

I assembled the Goat Boat in one hour and 33 minutes. For a set this size, that is a decent amount of build time when compared to LEGO® sets in general. However, I tend to get more build time for my dollar from Superheroes sets specifically. Thus, I rate the cost/minute of build time at 78%. Considering this alongside the cost/brick, the overall value grade for this set is also 78%.

---

---

Build Score Breakdown:

I did not buy this set because I am a Thor fan, nor did I buy it because I wanted the set as such. I bought it because the LEGO® Group does not produce many Vikings themed sets, and I saw potential in this boat design. From that perspective, I was not disappointed. The boat needs some modifications to suit my purposes, but it provides a good longboat base.

I like when a set shows me how to use a piece in a way I have not previously considered. The Goat Boat uses the “wall with bow” element to make the hull. It is a clever use of the part that I feel like I should have thought of. After all, I have used that same piece as the roof of space shuttle fuselage in several sets. This is basically the opposite. All the same, I did not think of it and I appreciated the simple but effective technique.

The Goat Boat (76208) provides a good base for a customized Viking ship.

Otherwise, there is not much I like about the set. It is a little boring quite frankly. I don’t like brick-built animals very much. Consequently, I don’t like the goats. The ship also has a “play function” that doesn’t actually function. You can place Thor’s axe in an ugly, wide open space in the ship’s bow. Then, you can manually push the axe with your finger to make it move if you like.

As I mentioned previously, the figurehead on the bow is not well done. I like the concept of it, and I will keep the general look in my modification of the set. However, the bow is split down the middle the whole length of the figurehead to accommodate the axe. It looks weak and incomplete. I know the ship in the movie had two figureheads… but it also had two keels. The LEGO® version does not pull that look off.

The LEGO® Goat Boat does not pull off the movie ship’s look very well.

The deck of the Goat Boat is also hugely empty. The ship is meant to be a tourist transport in the movie, so it makes sense in a way to leave room. But, some benches or something would make the LEGO® version look more complete. With that said, the open space makes it easier for me to customize as I see fit. Apart from the goats, it is not a horrible set. However, it is not a terribly exciting one either. I rate the build at 75%.

---

---

Minifigure Score Breakdown:

The Goat Boat really shines when it comes to the Minifigures. The kit includes 564 bricks, but you get five Minifigures in that. That is a large number of characters for a set this size. Whether comparing to LEGO® sets in general or just to other Superheroes sets (which tend to be Minifigure heavy), it is an excellent minifig count. I rate that at 95%.

As for the characters themselves, each one is excellent. Each one is wonderfully detailed and has printing on both the front and back of the head and torso. The only one without leg printing is Gorr. I am particularly fond of Jane Foster (Mighty Thor). Her helmet/hairpiece is amazing and I can easily use it for a shield maiden in my Viking builds.

My favourite design is Brunnhilde’s (King Valkyrie). My only complaint is that LEGO® printed some of her skin tone onto the torso. That makes it a little harder to use with non-fleshy coloured Minifigures. I also quite like Korg. Even though he has a “stoney” print, you can easily reimagine the stone as clothing texture or fur (it is not overly bold).

All the Goat Boat minifigs are awesome, but the women are truly amazing.

As for accessories, Gorr has a black sword and Brunnhilde has a different style sword in silver. Interestingly, I got four of the silver swords. Mighty Thor comes with Mjolnir (hammer). Meanwhile, Thor’s and Korg’s weapons are both buildable (though Thor’s has an axe blade).

Finally, the Goat Boat also includes eight shields along the sides of the boat. These are actual round, flat shield elements with a central stud. Each has a 2×2 round tile attached to the front with a sticker on top. Do I wish these were printed elements? Of course. But, I will take the stickers. They are perfect for my custom Viking builds. I also like them much more than the brick built shields we got in the Creator 3-in-1 Viking Ship and the Midgard Serpent set. These ones are better Minifigure scale. Over all, I really like these character designs and accessories, so I rate them at 100%. Averaging this with the character count score gives an overall Minifigure rating of 98%.

---

---

Entertainment Score Breakdown:

I mentioned in the build section that there is a lot of empty space in this set… it is not much to look at once you take the Minifigures off. I can’t say I would want to display this set. There isn’t much for kids to play with in the build either. The Minifigures really make this set.

With that said, Vikings fans and those who enjoy customization projects get a nice base to work with. The ship has no mast, and the figurehead needs reworking. But the Goat Boat still has the look of a nice longboat for anyone wanting to tackle a project. As a standalone set, I wish there was more to the Goat Boat, but I like its mod potential. I rate the entertainment score at 75%.

---

With that said, as the template for a Viking longship, the Goat Boat is a good one. It needs far less modification than I did with the Harry Potter Durmstrang ship (click here for the set review and click here for the mod). Plus, you get five amazing Minifigures with recyclable parts for your Viking display. The minifigs really are the highlight and saving grace of this kit. What do you think of the Goat Boat (76208)? Let me know in the comments or reach out on social media.

Until next time,

-Tom

Want to support True North Bricks?

If you like the content at True North Bricks, please follow on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, or TikTok for regular content. Additionally, you can support True North Bricks by making your LEGO® (and other) purchases using the links in the margin to your right. As an affiliate of those retailers, we earn from qualifying purchases. These earnings come at no extra cost to you but help to keep the content at True North Bricks free.