Smaller ships can outrun and outmaneuver you sometimes without you even getting one broadside in. Second favorite ship for me is the Man O'war but it just feels too sluggish and way too slow to turn especially upwind even alternating front and back sails. Once it surrendered just loaded up crew from both Galleons plus had a second fully loaded ship on hand if I ran out of munitions. Took out the sails with chain shot then mortared the 1st-rate till the hull was severely weakened then very carefully approached the back of the ship where there are no canons being careful not to get boarded to take out the crew with Grape shot.

The second War Galleon was just for the crew I needed.

I captured my first 1st-rate with two War Galleons. I enjoy the game mechanics a lot more when I'm using the War Galleon. The War Galleon requires more hands on management of the various points of sailing when going after significantly smaller or larger ships but it can handle everything and the increased micromanagement of every point of sailing is actually a fun challenge. They make for very well defended trade ships as they have so much cargo capacity.

If you're good with mortars you can capture even the most heavily defended ports and take down all ships with one War Galleon. It's sturdy enough to go toe to toe with the larger Man O'war and 2nd-rate's and if you're very carful even 1st-rates. It's fast and nimble enough to keep up with even the smaller speedier ships if you make sure to be at Full Sails NOT Battle Sails and give your crew rum. My favorite all-purpose ship is the War Galleon fully upgraded.

Cheat engine the pirate caribbean hunt