This may just be me, but I find the combat in the game is solely centered around sinking the enemy ship. I think you should be able to simply disable a ship, preventing it from moving properly, by hitting certain weak points. (i.e. sails, masts, rudder)
This would allow you to catch up to a ship you are chasing, escape from a ship that is chasing you, and, most importantly, board a ship and take it's loot with less of a chance of the crew chasing after you.
"But what if my ship gets disabled? I don't want to be stuck in the middle of the ocean!"
You could repair the damage just like you can repair the hull, but it would take much longer.
I feel like this whole system would add a new dynamic to the combat and just a touch of realism.
Your thoughts?
