Anyone else ever use a Pinnace as their flagship?

Captain Blood · Cutthroat Posts: 453 **6396 Gold** -

In my latest game (I'm playing at Adventurer level this time, I didn't feel like making this game TOO hard on me) I grabbed up a couple of Royal Sloops and got them fully upgraded pretty early on. I started as English and was operating early in my career around Nevis/St. Kitts/that area.
I usually also grab up a War Canoe and get her fully upgraded to use as my flagship so it can haul me around at it's incredible speed.
But this time I didn't even see a war canoe for a LONG time in the game.
I wasn't too worried about it, I wasn't ranging very far in my depredations so it wasn't a big deal.
Just as I'd Duke'd up with the English and the French (they both happened to be at war with the Dutch with a peace treaty between them) and was thinking of heading out to seek larger fortune (I had just gotten my first map to a lost relative and I like to go after Monty ASAP in my games) when a Dutch Pinnace approached the area.
I quickly went after it and when I got into the battle screen realized it was fully loaded with all the upgrades.
I was some surprised, because you don't usually get that lucky in the game (or at least I don't) but I quickly decided to not fire into her and take her for my own.
I have been using her as my flagship ever since.
I don't imagine she's as fast as a War Canoe but she has other qualities that make up for it.
She has a larger crew size for one. Not that much, 90 as opposed to 75, but it's enough to make a difference.
She seems to handle a bit better going into the wind during battles. I don't have to fight her to keep her on the tack I want her to be on nearly as much as I do the lighter canoe.

I can't say I'm completely sold on using one in every game, but I have been enjoying her for the time being.
Anyone else have an experience like this?
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'Vast heaving! Belay there, I say!

sparticus · Helmsman Posts: 5818 **44872 Gold** -

rupertlittlebear · Helmsman Posts: 4545 **10381 Gold** -

Why settle for Porsche

when Ferrari is waiting

War Canoe FTW

Tom Pullings · Gunner Posts: 534 **11279 Gold** -

I have used a pinnace a few times. Now I usually go for a war canoe and pick up something larger when I want to carry more crew for raiding. But my first steps toward trading size for speed were in mailrunners. Since I couldn't always get an escort mission to steal one, I would first use a pinnace.

Although the war canoe is fastest, the larger ships in its class are close - at least when compared to other classes of ship, and the extra room for crew can be helpful - depending on your strategy.

rupertlittlebear · Helmsman Posts: 4545 **10381 Gold** -

Captain Blood · Cutthroat Posts: 453 **6396 Gold** -

I've played with the pinnace and the mail runner. I like them both.
I do like the war canoe still, but now I don't turn my nose up at the larger pinnace class ships.
In fact, in one game that I played on Journeyman (I wanted a fast game that I didn't have to work at too much at the time I started it) I used a fleet that consisted of a war canoe, a pinnace and a mail runner.
I had a lot of fun with it.

I guess I'm just mixing things up on my Pirates. The same old formulae I always use for sure victory got a bit routine and I decided to just play with things for a bit.
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'Vast heaving! Belay there, I say!

sparticus · Helmsman Posts: 5818 **44872 Gold** -

oldman · Rigger Posts: 1152 **483 Gold** -

There was a time that I played a whole lot. Yep, I played just about very single darn ships there were in the game. Nope, I definitely have to say that I didn't master all the ships. For example, merchant ship was so darn slow that I was just a roasted duck by the time the round of battle was done.

Another "heavy" ship I played with some success was the Flag Galleon. For the most part, it was fun, but just don't go up against fast ship.

By far, war canoe definitely was fun. Since I was more interested in the sword fight, war canoe definitely was a good choice... of course, then you just have to get your frigates to carry the load Smile

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Seeking new bride in place of gramma Emma.

sparticus · Helmsman Posts: 5818 **44872 Gold** -

Rupert Drake · Powder Monkey Posts: 35 **346 Gold** -

War Canoe is far superior IMHO.

R_Matey · Powder Monkey Posts: 4 **105 Gold** -

I like pinnaces. A canoe isn't a ship, I'm not sure it's even a boat. A canoe, c'mon what self-respecting sea dog sets off in a canoe.

rupertlittlebear · Helmsman Posts: 4545 **10381 Gold** -

Rupert Drake · Powder Monkey Posts: 35 **346 Gold** -

ExtraCrispy · Boatswain Posts: 3923 **39058 Gold** -

^ What he said. Razz

Salty Dog · Sailing Master Posts: 10060 **191991 Gold** -

I thought it was proven that war canoes, pinnaces and mail runners are all the identical speed. The only difference i cargo capacity. Is this not true?
I have hit 20 Knots in the small boats.