Here are some tricks i learned along the way. Everyone is free to to add some !
Tame by sitting on a Bear ( no need to spam those tamingpins )
Always have half the amount of blanks the ships needs to build as backup along with hammers and buckets ready for panicmode !
Use a grabelinghook to get flotsam
Cooked food heals and some give buffs.
Use a Npc on a swivelgun with , target all setting to fish