I'm sorry if this has been suggested before, but I think different ship equipment options that changed the performance of a ship would be really helpful.
Examples
Hull - An armored hull that would take more damage but cause the ship to move more slowly, and a speed hull that helps the ship move faster but takes more damage.
Sails - Sails that help your ship move faster in a straight line but are adjusted more slowly, and sails that adjust faster but move your ship more slowly.
Cannons - Cannons that reload faster but do less damage (smaller radius?) per shot, and cannons that reload more slowly but do more damage (larger radius?).
