Can someone educate me on scoring?

[Stan2112]

I had the 2 boats in the bottom player area when the round ended. How is this 4 points?

[Meeplelowda]

I had the 2 boats in the bottom player area when the round ended. How is this 4 points?

I was confused at first because I have not played Extra Pepper and didn't understand why the mermaids weren't scored. After I cleared that up, it's easy.
You have a pair of boats: 1 pt.
You have a lighthouse scoring 1 pt. for each boat: 2 pts.
You have a single penguin: 1 pt.
Total: 4 pts.

[Stan2112]

Why didn't the mermaids each count a point for most colors?

[Meeplelowda]

Why didn't the mermaids each count a point for most colors?

Because your table was set to Extra Pepper and The Tornado card was in effect:

The Tornado
Mermaid cards do not score
points, but a player still wins
immediately if they have all
4 mermaid cards.

If you aren't comfortable with the variants, you can set filters to exclude them.

[Noname199]

I had the 2 boats in the bottom player area when the round ended.

Also: pairs count points independent if they are played ("bottom player area") or in the hand.

[Stan2112]

I had the 2 boats in the bottom player area when the round ended.

Also: pairs count points independent if they are played ("bottom player area") or in the hand.

Thanks. I only mentioned that in case there was some reason certain points were scored only if cards are "played" vs not. Still not sure about this one.

[Meeplelowda]

Still not sure about this one.

Noname199 just told you that they do count independent (regardless) of whether you have played them. What exactly is it that you still aren't sure about? This is why some people get annoyed when someone plays shark/swimmer after Last Chance is called, because they aren't going to have any effect and they already count without you playing them.

[Stan2112]

Still not sure about this one.

Noname199 just told you that they do count independent (regardless) of whether you have played them. What exactly is it that you still aren't sure about? This is why some people get annoyed when someone plays shark/swimmer after Last Chance is called, because they aren't going to have any effect and they already count without you playing them.

Sorry, when I wrote "Still not sure about this one.", I meant if the game in general was a good fit for me. I have since played it again and won so I think with the default rules, I'll be fine. I appreciate the help given.