Ok so I love playing by my self. I have been playing SoT for almost 2 years. I started getting wrecked by the Skeleton Ships and I have killed a few and get killed more due to the fact that they don't miss and that i spend more time below deck fixing the ship then Driving or shooting back at them. So I have Idea and I know people will think this is dumb but hear me out.
I think it might be cool since the Skeletons on the NPC ship can heal there ship but they can't bail the water out why not let a solo player on a sloop be able to hire a NPC crew mate that does the same thing. All they do is repair the ship and they don't bail. They don't help in any other way except giving a solo sailer a chance to shoot and drive and when they are not doing those 2 things they can bail water. if you don't have enough planks the NPC will not be able to fix the ship.
If they can make skeletons do it why not give us a NPC crew mate to do the same. Just a idea. I hope everyone has a great and happy New Year and see you on the sea
