When you think of sailing solo the obvious choice is the sloop and you would be right to choose this.
However, I have found that the solo Brigantine is the ultimate skeleton ship hunter, allowing you to dispatch the galleons easier than a solo sloop. Sounds bizarre right?! But this is something i discovered myself and has never failed me.
Step 1)
Find your target.
You travel fastest cross winds so have both sails angled full left or right lock depending on where you wanna go. Just fly down the map as quick as possible and you will soon see your PVE foe
Step 2)
Upon approaching your skeleton galleon, give it a quick broadside then do a full left or right lock depending on which angle your sails are. Make sure the sails are angled to where you get an occasional puff of wind to throw you around the corner.
Step 3) Take some punishment.
The initial start of the battle you will be within their cannons. Focus more on repairing than firing back and have faith.
Eventually the galleon will be behind you chasing and unable to hit you and you unable to hit it back. You may slam into the ship a few times and so on, dont panic if you do you’re simply a boxer hugging it out for a breather. This is when it becomes showtime and you are ready to fight back.
Step 4) Hit them without being hit back!
As they are chasing you like the npc noobs they are, simply put your back sail down a little. Your turning circle will increase allowing you to pepper their ship whilst remaining out of their range.
Note however you will drift into their range eventually if this turning circle isnt loosened, so to maintain your advantage, lower the sails back to how they were. Repeat this until it is sunk.
Step 6) ????????
Step 7) Profit!
After a few times you will perfect this technique and actually be able to take on fleets this way. Its actually easier than a sloop fleet battle if you dont hug the boulders.
With a fleet you may need to occasionally leave to repair if you get an unlucky double galleon broadside, however the principle is the same and works as described.
Given the brigantines speed it makes it the perfect skelly hunting vessel able to locate targets much quicker than the sloopiest sloop captain.
Give it a try and let me know your success.