I can tell people are getting very defensive of their positions, instead of talking it through, try to get back to discussion?
So questions to those wanting the "pve toggle or server":
If you remove the pvp part of the game, are you not reducing the game to a menial task? I know some people that would log into lotro and do their dailies and log off, no fun, just work. Is that what you wish for this game? You want to sacrifice fun for ... a feeling of completion?
If you are being stressed by pvp all the time, I wonder what you are doing different, since I have only been attacked 2 times in a sloop by galleons. I have played a decent amount of sessions, and just don't see this targeted issue. With the ability to scuttle, and then spawn a quarter of the map away, you should be able to get going again without much stress. Are you building up too much on your ship, trying to maximize? Are you being caught offguard? Are you able to adapt?
This isn't an mmorpg, where you must develop your character away from the main tests (raids), the goal here is not to rank up on menial tasks to improve your character. It's to have an adventure, every time you log in. I admit, in EQ/LOTRO/etc there were many times, the repetitive tasks to increase faction or levels was not.. fun. I hope you all see Rare's vision was not to include those, but rather have a wild west on the seas, one that does get you excited when you see a ship, what is it going to do?
These questions aren't to invalidate your request, but rather make sure you see what you are giving up in doing so.
I would not mind if they made a toggle to go to a peaceful server, it will remove those from my game who are very frustrated with getting attacked, and I would in no way want to cause someone to quit playing.
And I think those who are so adamant against it, are not realizing that there will still be people on the server, not just those who are either playing with family members who can't .. deal with pressure situations quite yet (my wife, screeches and can't figure out what to do at all) or are on a very limited time frame (work breaks). Leaving "pvp" to come back "stronger" isn't in this game, they will have cosmetics.
Perhaps the pve only server caps out at rank 30? for the traders as a regard to those who see an issue with "pirate legends" not .. being piratey.