Minecraft – Are Minecraft mods for 1.8.1 compatible with Minecraft Forge 1.8

There is not a version of forge for 1.8.1 by the looks of it.

Run the 1.8 (not 1.8.1) of Minecraft and it should work.

Forge (the mod platform needed for most mods) for 1.8 is still in beta, but you CAN download it.

The problem is most mods have not updated to 1.8.

Archimedes Ships is the mod you are looking for; it lets you create airships and boats, but it too is not updated to 1.8. If you'd like to follow the development of Archimedes Ships, watch this forum post: http://www.minecraftforum.net/forums/mapping-and-modding/minecraft-mods/1289952-archimedes-ships-v1-7-banking-ships

When it does update to 1.8, you can download Forge for 1.8 from here: http://files.minecraftforge.net/ You'll probably want the '1.8-Recommended Installer-Win' build.

You can also backdate to 1.7 and use the Archimedes Ships 1.7 versions.