<!--quoteo(post=322884:date=May 27 2009, 06:00 AM:name=vassock)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (vassock @ May 27 2009, 06:00 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=322884"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=322751:date=May 26 2009, 07:34 AM:name=LittleMorgan)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (LittleMorgan @ May 26 2009, 07:34 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=322751"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I hired a carpenter, but I _think_ he is not doing anything at all - or so slow that I cant notice any difference to the sail/hull status between one battle and the next one.
Anybody have any idea about the average repair rate (I know it should be skill depend ant but not doing anything at 58 is... well... chronic laziness or what?)<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
IMO there's no point in carrying a lot of planks/sail material just for sea repairs. They take up a lot of room and take a lot of time. That means you'll be missing out on loot if you happen to capture a large ship or two. Likewise, the sails and planks cost money (either because you bought them or didn't sell them) and the time you spend waiting will result in depletion of food/medicine. Ship repairs are incredibly cheap and instant at the shipyards. I don't think you'll gain much, if any, strategic advantage through long-term repairs. Quick repair and other repair that takes place on the sea, however, is a different matter, since it can give you an instant tactical advantage during a battle.
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I use them all the time myself, the chance of being in a battle and needing repairs and getting into another one on the way (especially if your easily caught because you overloaded with loot and captured ship(s) is high enough that if I need to throw planks/sailcloth out to make room for goods from a captured ship, I will. And at the stage I am in the game I have 3 ships with me at all times, one always carries a good amount of food/planks/sailcloth/medicine so if I need repairs I'll transfer goods then sail to port.