Difference between 17th and 18th Century ships in Privateers Bounty

There really are some distinct differences between 17th and 18th Century battles, run in the Privateers Bounty simulator. The difference is largely the difference in ship characteristices. 17th Century ships are considerably smaller, and are more lightly armed, at least prior to 1660. Only the very largest were armed on the 18th Century scale.

That difference manifests itself in a number of ways:

17th Century ships burn easily

17th Century ships can more easily be sunk by gunfire

18th Century battle scenes are littered with dismasted ships that, otherwise, still have considerable fighting strength

17th Century battles can employ line-breaking tactics, as the opposing gunfire is less potent

18th and early 19th Century battles can only be fought (with impunity) using line-breaking tactics, if a gap appears in the opposing line. Otherwise, there is likely to be considerable damage taken in the process of line-breaking.

These are the obvious differences that I have learned from running a half-dozen 18th Century scenario simulations, over the weekend. Needless to say, I have run a much greater number of 17th Century scenarios.