For Settings, I would just say go with what is comfortable, their is so many different styles from flicking to using low sensitivity with a really large mousepad. Ultimately I feel the best thing to have in this game is situational awareness and overall good coordination with crew members.
The situational awareness helps to identify when you will get boarded this could range from realizing you are in a position to be easily boarded like trailing a ship or that ship in the distance that seems to always be an island away from you. Even noticing within that barrage of shots, one of those cannons actually didn't fire a cannonball yet made the sound of firing. I know I am in for a good fight, if I am immediately met with drawn guns as soon as I peak my head over the ladder to top-deck.
The coordination just comes down to never making assumptions. See a boarder? Never assume everyone saw that person coming to board. Announce it to the crew, always be certain. Taking heavy fire? Announce to the crew you are on repairs, never assume someone else with take care of it. This little announcement ensures that first, someone is repairing to begin with, and second, that you don't double up on a job that only requires one. If that person needs help, they will speak up. Now your crew knows what other spots need filling. Ones below deck, now that means someone could bucket while the rest play defensing and make sure no one boards. Little things like that just make things go smooth on a ship. Always announce your actions. Going for a board? Let them know, so you don't have a situation with too many people leaving the ship defenseless.
Ultimately this game doesn't require much in mechanical skill, but it certainly benefits from really developed coordination and being efficient with said coordination. That is just my take, I really think their is not much of a wrong answer here. Many different ways can lead to success in this game.