I'm very sure of this by trial and error but I have no evidence other than circumstantial. I almost hate to give away this secret its so powerful when done right. I'm sure others have discovered it. But the winds on the entire map in general ( no matter how near the edge you are ) are governed by the storm.
In general they blow so that you're sailing into the storm in a giant spiral when clockwise. Or sailing away from. The storm counter clockwise.
This means that mechanically the Brigantine should be undefeatable because the wind will always be to your beam (side).
Often though you'll catch the wind to your back so galleon is a great choice also (I sail galleon solo almost exclusively and have spent hours in the storm in my galleon. Easy).
The wind will never head on at you so you are always competitive against those annoying wannabe pirates sailing sloopz because they aren't OP at solo galleon like me.
If counter clockwise you can cut through the storm but I'm not sure I'd recommend going counter clockwise. While it gives more favorable wind eventually it will push you away into the edge of the map or it will make you have to sail into the wind to get you closer to the storm.
The storm is like a single point so the further you are from it the more random the wind appears (think of vectors at angles to a center and the further that center the less apparent relationship the vector has to it).
But the wind is definitely angled such that if you kept it to your side at all times you'll sail toward the storm clockwise and away if counter.
That being said....the storm often times gets to extreme edges of the map so be aware of that.
Good luck!
