Review: 60377 Explorer Diving Boat
Posted by CapnRex101,
Despite sharing similar colours, 60377 Explorer Diving Boat and 60368 Arctic Explorer Ship are evidently intended for different climates. While the exploration vessel recovers Viking artefacts beyond the Arctic Circle, this boat studies ocean life in warmer waters.
That ocean life is the most interesting aspect of this set, encompassing a new adult sea turtle, alongside a baby turtle and a hammerhead shark and manta ray in unique colours. Given the variety of animals present, plus a treasure chest, there is plenty for the divers to discover.
Summary
60377 Explorer Diving Boat, 182 pieces.
£24.99 / $39.99 / €29.99 | 13.7p/22.0c/16.5c per piece.
Buy at LEGO.com »
The titular boat is very disappointing, but the sea creatures included are exceptional
- Outstanding selection of animals
- Good potential for play
- Unrealistic diving vessel
- Serious lack of deck space
- Overpriced in North America
The set was provided for review by LEGO. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
Minifigures
The diving boat contains three minifigures, which is a substantial crew for a relatively modest vessel. Two are dressed for diving, while the third presumably drives the boat and remains on the surface, sporting a white and medium azure uniform. The same character appears in 60379 Deep Sea Explorer Submarine, also piloting the titular vehicle on that occasion.
This minifigure's hair component, created for Valkyrie last year, is highly detailed, but her head only features one expression. The same is true for the male diver, while his female counterpart can display a confident smile or a nervous design. Both divers include hair elements to swap for their helmets, which are complete with adjustable goggles and snorkels.
Unlike the divers in 60368 Arctic Explorer Ship and 60379 Deep Sea Explorer Submarine, the explorers supplied here are equipped for fairly shallow waters, hence their lightweight helmets. Otherwise, this dark blue, medium azure and orange diving attire is identical between the three sets, featuring pressure gauges on each torso, as well as removable air tanks and flippers.
The Completed Model
In stark contrast to the Viking shipwreck in 60368 Arctic Explorer Ship, this seabed structure obviously represents a more tropical region. The vibrant colours are appealing and I love the range of ocean life, including corals and glittery trans-pink and bright green anemones. A mop head forms the latter, employing the same technique as 80049 Dragon of the East Palace.
Magenta and coral plates are also integrated to good effect, further brightening the model. The reddish brown treasure chest and ship's wheel accordingly stand out and I like these two items are angled, hence they seem natural. A pearl gold cup and some printed coins are found inside the chest, similar to those in 10305 Lion Knights' Castle and 10320 Eldorado Fortress.
The back of this undersea structure lacks detail, compared with the front. Even so, there are no unsightly colours and mounting a couple of bigger sea creatures on the coral distracts attention anyway! The hammerhead shark and ray were both developed for the last Deep Sea Explorers subtheme, although these versions feature unique colours and are only available in this set.
While this shark body component has existed for over a decade, this is its first appearance in light bluish grey and I like the moulded gill slits on each side. Moreover, the shape of the head and its printed eyes are excellent, although I think the shark's mouth looks awkward when open, creating a conspicuous gap between the head and the dorsal fin.
LEGO introduced a new sea turtle element with the Marine Biologist Collectable Minifigure in 2020, which returns here in the same colours, albeit now representing a baby turtle! The dual-moulded combination of bright green and medium nougat looks excellent, while the pattern on the shell appears very realistic too.
A new adult turtle accompanies the infant, featuring the same dual-moulded colours and very similar eyes, so they truly look like the same species. The larger turtle includes four anti-studs underneath and a stud on top, which enables the young turtle to ride on its parent's back. Even though this behaviour is extremely rare in reality, it is a fun way of displaying the pair together.
The diving boat is constructed around a large hull component, allowing the vessel to float. This piece has been used many times before and generally quite effectively, but I think this example looks strange. The proportions of the vessel are unrealistic and there is not nearly enough open space on board, mainly because the cabin seems needlessly large.
Some boats using this hull element have featured enclosed cabins, always positioned further towards the stern. I find the location of the cabin on this boat odd and the curved windscreen looks out of place, befitting a speedboat more than a research vessel. On the other hand, the orange 1x10 curved slopes on either side form a nice shape and I like the mast, complete with navigation lights.
There is space for one minifigure inside the cabin, accessed by raising the windscreen. This function works nicely and the controls are fine, but I am surprised by the location of the crate, which is needlessly enclosed and quite difficult to reach. Shortening the cabin and leaving the crate exposed would provide easier access for storing accessories and expand the deck.
Whereas the forward section of the model uses the available space poorly, the stern is packed with detail. 1x2 foot plates are included for the divers on both sides, while a remotely operated vehicle fits in the area behind the cabin. This is not shown in official images, but is presumably intentional because the ROV occupies the empty space perfectly.
Of course, with the ROV on board, there is absolutely nowhere to stand the minifigures, other than on the sides of the boat, as though they are preparing to dive. Fortunately, the articulated crane can deploy the submersible, which features two adjustable arms and a spinning propeller. With the submersible removed, there is room for a minifigure to supervise the ROV or provide medical attention to animals, using the supplied syringe.
Overall
The impressive array of sea creatures are undoubtedly the highlight of 60377 Explorer Diving Boat. Between new colours for the manta ray and hammerhead shark and the exclusive adult sea turtle, the selection included is unmatched in sets of this size! The underwater structure to display the animals is splendid too, thanks in particular to its beautiful colour scheme.
Sadly, the boat is poor. The ability to float is always welcome for play, but the proportions and layout of the model are fundamentally bizarre. The cabin could have been much smaller and I am not sure why the remotely operated vehicle is included, when open deck space is essential for a diving boat. However, the animals are great and might be enough to justify the European prices of £24.99 or €29.99, but not $39.99 in the US.
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29 comments on this article
Such amazing set. Here in Poland you can get it for even under 30Dollars. Its a steal.
I don't understand why City is so consistently overpriced in the US.
@woosterlegos said:
"I don't understand why City is so consistently overpriced in the US."
The only thing I can figure is City must sell better in the US than other countries, so LEGO feels like they can get away with charging for more.
$40 for this is too much but the animals are really wonderful, and I’m glad that LEGO included more than just one or two. I agree that the boat looks weird, more closely resembling a hovercraft than a diving boat.
I think something more akin to 60147 would have worked better and would be more appropriate for a tropical reef setting.
Baby turtle.
I bought this when visiting France last month in a huge grocery store for 20 euro included set 60376 (2in1 bundle pack), they also sold it alone for 25 euro ;P
Both sets are fantastic for animal moulds for their size!
I dunno. I can't help but like the boat. It's almost certainly because of when my childhood was, but it reminds me in a positive way of the end of the 90's on into the 00's, where LEGO designers became more adventurous with the designs of "conventional" vehicles, and curved shapes like this set's cabin were not uncommon. Those designs may be less anchored to reality, but I feel that's an important facet of LEGO to hold onto.
It's slightly crazy to me that in the 25+ years since the diving mask piece was introduced, we still haven't got a version that can be used without a helmet. Surely there's a way to have a piece worn around the neck that's a mask and snorkel that could be compatible with at least some normal hair pieces.
Strange that Canadians are paying some the highest prices for this set when over the last couple of years with the exchange rate we've been paying some of the lowest prices for most Lego sets. Even 60368 Canadians pay the cheapest.
Still want this set though
"While the exploration vessel recovers Viking artefacts beyond the Arctic Circle, this boat studies ocean life in warmer waters."
And yet this set is also part of the "Arctic" subtheme?
Yeah that boat sucks. It looks like something I would have made when I was a kid. Ok, arguably that's a good thing as it's a kids' toy, but I think a boat like that is more suited to a theme like Aqua Raiders or Atlantis than City which tends to produce more realistic vehicles
I Bricklinked the shark, ray and turtles as additions to my undersea 'army'.
Not yet shown but soon to appear with the rest of my thalassic troops: https://brickshelf.com/gallery/AmperZand/Fantasy/sea_lord_1.jpg
https://brickshelf.com/gallery/AmperZand/Fantasy/sea_lord_5.jpg
Printed coins. What happened to those old shiny coins they used to do in the 90s? I never had any when I was a kid (but I remember drooling over them in catalogs), and I recently bought a couple of old sets with them, and they are indeed cool. And on a similar note, since when are gears being used for propellers, instead of actual propeller pieces?
@woosterlegos said:
"I don't understand why City is so consistently overpriced in the US."
It's mindboggling, since there's no licensing fees involved, just pure profit. I love the animals and the minifigures, but not for $40. This should be $25 tops, and that's mostly because of the blue boat piece.
The undersea life is what is interesting me, nothing else to be honest.
Once again I see the price is absurd. It’s another set I really want but again, if these appear on sale it’s for such a short time that I never get to take advantage of it.
Those animals are all so cool, though!
The Euro-price for this seems pretty decent. The US-price... yeah, I can see why you'd balk at that.
It's a pretty nice set either way!
@MVives said:
""While the exploration vessel recovers Viking artefacts beyond the Arctic Circle, this boat studies ocean life in warmer waters."
And yet this set is also part of the "Arctic" subtheme?"
It is not ideal, but neither is the Deep Sea Exploration subtheme, since this wave includes 60378 Arctic Explorer Truck and Mobile Lab. The range has been classified as 'Exploration' currently, but that could change again because I believe people approaching the database may expect to find these 2023 sets alongside previous Arctic sets, given their similar colour schemes.
@MVives said:
""While the exploration vessel recovers Viking artefacts beyond the Arctic Circle, this boat studies ocean life in warmer waters."
And yet this set is also part of the "Arctic" subtheme?"
I see it more as an "Ocean Exploration" subtheme, as North Pole / Arctic is frozen ocean after all , but yeah, its can be seen as a hybrid theme between the former 2014/2018 Arctic and 2015/2020 Deep sea themes , this set is a bit more standalone like 2019 60221 : Diving Yacht was.
A similar thing happed with City 2022 Space, most of those sets did focus on somewhat current-day or near future Artemis/Nasa moon mission tech , but there was a spinoff set with a more sci-fi vessel related to a seperate mission to mars . 60354 : Mars Spacecraft Exploration Missions .
A man has fallen into the river in LEGO City! HEY! Build the explorer diving boat...
Funny thing about the price in germany is that it was almost 50% off upon release. Ever since its on a quite good discount at many vendors. I got 2 of them that time and i dont regret it. Nice review by the way!
@Oli said:
"Funny thing about the price in germany is that it was almost 50% off upon release. Ever since its on a quite good discount at many vendors. I got 2 of them that time and i dont regret it. Nice review by the way!"
Same here. Got this set on Amazon for 15.99 Euro recently, which is a steal. It's 19.99 Euro at the moment, but since Amazon prices change all the time this could be back to 15.99 tomorrow.
Anyway, love this small but beautiful set. The animals to me are awesome, the figures decent, and I even like the design of the boat, let alone the nice seafloor scenery.
@woosterlegos said:
"I don't understand why City is so consistently overpriced in the US."
It's everywhere but it always lands on great sales, even in states.
@graymattr said:
" @woosterlegos said:
"I don't understand why City is so consistently overpriced in the US."
It's mindboggling, since there's no licensing fees involved, just pure profit. I love the animals and the minifigures, but not for $40. This should be $25 tops, and that's mostly because of the blue boat piece. "
Licensing costs are amortized across the entire product line and do not drive prices of individual sets or themes. What drives prices of individual sets is demand as measured by extensive market research. City is priced so high in the US because US consumers have consistently shown that they are willing to pay those prices.
@Spritetoggle said:
"I dunno. I can't help but like the boat. It's almost certainly because of when my childhood was, but it reminds me in a positive way of the end of the 90's on into the 00's, where LEGO designers became more adventurous with the designs of "conventional" vehicles, and curved shapes like this set's cabin were not uncommon. Those designs may be less anchored to reality, but I feel that's an important facet of LEGO to hold onto."
Yup I agree, I know for a fact 10 year old me would have looked at that and gone "Mmmmm - sleeeeeek" and would have put it on my wish list. Admittedly it would have stayed as a model for all of a week before it was MOC'd into a spaceship because that's all I ever built in my far more productive MOC'ing days....
Oh how I miss my youth and time to do such things......
Also it seems all of the animals from Arctic subseries have been added to P @B.
@illennium said:
" @graymattr said:
" @woosterlegos said:
"I don't understand why City is so consistently overpriced in the US."
It's mindboggling, since there's no licensing fees involved, just pure profit. I love the animals and the minifigures, but not for $40. This should be $25 tops, and that's mostly because of the blue boat piece. "
Licensing costs are amortized across the entire product line and do not drive prices of individual sets or themes. What drives prices of individual sets is demand as measured by extensive market research. City is priced so high in the US because US consumers have consistently shown that they are willing to pay those prices."
Licensing cost is a percentage of the sale and maybe an additional one time payment per year or contract duration. When the percentage of those royalties is 20% that effectively means 20% higher prices compared to similar products of other IPs or a smaller profit from sales of products of that license.
Good set! There are many bright colors and animals are well detailed. And minifigures are also good designed!
@Anonym said:
" @illennium said:
" @graymattr said:
" @woosterlegos said:
"I don't understand why City is so consistently overpriced in the US."
It's mindboggling, since there's no licensing fees involved, just pure profit. I love the animals and the minifigures, but not for $40. This should be $25 tops, and that's mostly because of the blue boat piece. "
Licensing costs are amortized across the entire product line and do not drive prices of individual sets or themes. What drives prices of individual sets is demand as measured by extensive market research. City is priced so high in the US because US consumers have consistently shown that they are willing to pay those prices."
Licensing cost is a percentage of the sale and maybe an additional one time payment per year or contract duration. When the percentage of those royalties is 20% that effectively means 20% higher prices compared to similar products of other IPs or a smaller profit from sales of products of that license."
Unless you have some inside information - in which case please share - it almost certainly does not work that way. LEGO does not price products using a cost-plus model. Licensing costs, like all other costs, are amortized across the entire product line and do not directly affect the cost of individual sets. Prices of individual sets are based on perceived market demand and certain other factors, not cost. People talk about the dreaded IP tax but always seem to ignore the reality that City is consistently one of the most expensive themes despite being unlicensed. Star Wars (licensed) and City (unlicensed) are both consistently "overpriced" because both are perennially popular and consumers are willing to pay those prices.
"Unrealistic diving vessel"
I agree, but certainly not the worst designed submersible I've seen this year
I'm also liking to "overpriced in xyz" way of discussing price, its definitely been overlooked in reviews years passed