After playing out about 30-40 custom naval battles, I have come to a surprising conclusion. While I do not have exact numbers/details to give you, I can assure you I did a thorough investigation.
In my 'study,' I pinned fleets of smaller ships (5th-3rd rates) against fleets of larger ships (2nd-H1st rates). 60-70% of the time, the outmanned and outgunned fleet won. I alternated between commanding the fleets each game to try to make it as even as possible.
I noticed that when it came down to overall ability, the third rate had all other ships beat soundly. Obviously, a one-on-one battle between a third rate and a first rate would likely end in victory for the first rate, but 5 first rates versus 5 third rates almost always ended with victory for the third rates. The reason for this is maneuverability. Second rates and first rates are quite bulky, and have a difficult time turning around. Heavy first rates, however, and horrendously difficult to maneuver, and are the most unresponsive ships imaginable. Even the Santísima Trinidad, however impressive it may be, is better off kept as a prize ship and nothing more.
It's plain and simple: Anything 98 guns and above is just to cumbersome to be a worthy addition to any fleet, except perhaps as an admiral's flagship (which should not be thrown into the thick of combat - ever).
Cutting back to smaller ships, I closely examined the fighting capabilities fourth rates and the smaller fifth rate:
The fourth rate has (depending on your nationality and game (i.e., ETW/NTW)) about 54-64 guns. It's lack of firepower (compared to the third rate) is made up for quite well by its speed and maneuverability, but it has no chance against a second rate or larger. It is useful at the early-game stage, but should not by any means be the mainstay of your fleet. It does make an excellent pirate-hunter, however.
The fifth rate has 32-38 guns, and is massively useless against heavier ships unless in larger numbers. The fifth rate is a poor fighting ship, and is even more worthless than the fourth rate. I wouldn't suggest adding them to your fleet.
The third rate, however, is a different story. It combines much of the same firepower of the second rate with the excellent maneuverability of the fourth rate. It has a sleek shape, thin frame, and a strong hull able to withstand heavy broadsides. It's sleek shape enables it to reach much higher speeds than larger ships, while it's thin frame allow for better handling. These are typically attributes of much smaller ships, but when you combine them with it's strong hull and much larger armament, this is a combination that incorporates the best of both worlds.
The Spanish, alas, never caught on like the British, French, and Dutch, and therefore could not keep up with their naval capabilities. That is not to say that their massively over-armed floating fortresses were not still a threat, however.
Un bon mot ne prouve rien. A witty saying proves nothing. - Voltaire
Dieu nous a donné le cadeau de vie; c'est jusqu'à nous de se donner le cadeau de vivre bien. God gave us the gift of life; it is up to us to give ourselves the gift of living well. - Voltaire
In my 'study,' I pinned fleets of smaller ships (5th-3rd rates) against fleets of larger ships (2nd-H1st rates). 60-70% of the time, the outmanned and outgunned fleet won. I alternated between commanding the fleets each game to try to make it as even as possible.
I noticed that when it came down to overall ability, the third rate had all other ships beat soundly. Obviously, a one-on-one battle between a third rate and a first rate would likely end in victory for the first rate, but 5 first rates versus 5 third rates almost always ended with victory for the third rates. The reason for this is maneuverability. Second rates and first rates are quite bulky, and have a difficult time turning around. Heavy first rates, however, and horrendously difficult to maneuver, and are the most unresponsive ships imaginable. Even the Santísima Trinidad, however impressive it may be, is better off kept as a prize ship and nothing more.
It's plain and simple: Anything 98 guns and above is just to cumbersome to be a worthy addition to any fleet, except perhaps as an admiral's flagship (which should not be thrown into the thick of combat - ever).
Cutting back to smaller ships, I closely examined the fighting capabilities fourth rates and the smaller fifth rate:
The fourth rate has (depending on your nationality and game (i.e., ETW/NTW)) about 54-64 guns. It's lack of firepower (compared to the third rate) is made up for quite well by its speed and maneuverability, but it has no chance against a second rate or larger. It is useful at the early-game stage, but should not by any means be the mainstay of your fleet. It does make an excellent pirate-hunter, however.
The fifth rate has 32-38 guns, and is massively useless against heavier ships unless in larger numbers. The fifth rate is a poor fighting ship, and is even more worthless than the fourth rate. I wouldn't suggest adding them to your fleet.
The third rate, however, is a different story. It combines much of the same firepower of the second rate with the excellent maneuverability of the fourth rate. It has a sleek shape, thin frame, and a strong hull able to withstand heavy broadsides. It's sleek shape enables it to reach much higher speeds than larger ships, while it's thin frame allow for better handling. These are typically attributes of much smaller ships, but when you combine them with it's strong hull and much larger armament, this is a combination that incorporates the best of both worlds.
The Spanish, alas, never caught on like the British, French, and Dutch, and therefore could not keep up with their naval capabilities. That is not to say that their massively over-armed floating fortresses were not still a threat, however.
Un bon mot ne prouve rien. A witty saying proves nothing. - Voltaire
Dieu nous a donné le cadeau de vie; c'est jusqu'à nous de se donner le cadeau de vivre bien. God gave us the gift of life; it is up to us to give ourselves the gift of living well. - Voltaire