Ray from Ray’s guide discusses the advantages of manually loading ships for increased profits, highlighting ships like the Posies, Cutter, and Avenger for cargo loading of 10 SCU or less, and the Nomad, Raft, Hull A, and Spirit C1 for different SCU ranges up to 100. Larger ships like the Constellations and Freelancer are critiqued for less efficient cargo loading configurations, while ships above 300 SCU like the 890 Jump are praised for their efficient cargo bay layouts.
Ray from Ray’s guide discusses the advantages of manually loading your own ship for increased profits with the introduction of new labor URS. He highlights ships that are easy and fast to load, emphasizing the importance of efficient cargo loading layouts for self-loading. Ships with wide rear ramps and layouts conducive to handling larger boxes, such as the Posies and Cutter, are recommended for cargo loading of 10 SCU or less. The Avenger is also noted as a versatile choice with an 8 SCU capacity that can be easily filled with just two full SCU boxes.
In the 10 to 50 SCU range, ships like the Nomad with a 24 SCU open bed and a ship-based tractor beam are favored for their ease of loading from multiple directions. Larger ships like the 400i and Cutlass Black present challenges due to their cargo grid layouts, where the placement of boxes needs careful consideration to optimize loading efficiency. The Raft stands out with its 96 SCU capacity that can be loaded with three external 32 SCU boxes, providing a straightforward loading process compared to ships like the Constellations and Freelancer.
For ships in the 50 to 100 SCU range, the Hull A, Spirit C1, and Raft are highlighted for their efficient cargo loading capabilities. The Hull A’s 64 SCU capacity allows for quick loading of 16 SCU boxes, while the Raft’s three external 32 SCU boxes streamline the loading process. However, larger ships like the Constellations and Freelancer Max are deemed less efficient due to their cargo bay layouts, requiring more boxes to fill the space.
In the 100 to 300 SCU category, the Freelancer Max, Constellations, and Mercury Star Runner are critiqued for their less efficient cargo loading configurations. The Starfarer and Starlifter Gemini present complex loadouts with multiple compartments, making cargo loading a challenging task. Ray advises opting for professional dock workers for these larger ships to handle the cargo efficiently. Lastly, for ships above 300 SCU that can fit in a hangar, the 890 Jump, Carrack, Caterpillar, and Hercules C2 are discussed for their cargo loading capabilities, with the 890 Jump standing out for its efficient cargo bay layout that accommodates 388 SCU in 16 boxes.