How about making it easier to knock away a mast or spar, maybe with a "lucky shot" ability? (I saw this in the game once, it was so awesome, that this fool captain totally ran his ship into a cliff and all his masts' `cross-beams` fell right off. I didn't know that could happen.) Or the chance of a shot through a sail to cause the sail to get ripped in two? Then, like CCC's `C-button` firedrill, you'd hafta drop everything you're doing (i.e., stop loading ammo) and replace the sail on the spot.
Similiarly, there should be a "beams" cargo item from which you repair masts and spars, since the "planks" are more of a ship's hull proper thing.
Similiarly, there should be a "beams" cargo item from which you repair masts and spars, since the "planks" are more of a ship's hull proper thing.