Los Tiburones de Vera Cruz​​​
A Pirates of the Burning Sea Society
Small Ships....
JAMAICA SLOOP ~
One of the first upgrades available to all captains, this ship becomes available when you reach level 5. She is swift and nimble with the ability to sail into the wind and maintain a decent speed. She has 4 cannons and 2 swivels per side instead of 3 like the starter ships Halifax Schooner, Otter Skudda, and La Belle Corvette. With a little more hull and broadside integrity this ship, handled by a wise minded captain, can easily last to level 10 or 12. Keep in mind this ship can still be sunk very easily by higher level vessels in a single broadside or two at under 200 yards, so if you engage an enemy ship more powerful than you use this ship's upwind capability to stay at a safe range or to disengage and make repairs -- or avoid the fight all together. This is a fun change from the beginning ship, but you will hunger for something better soon.
BERMUDA SLOOP ~
A bit heartier than the Jamaica Sloop, this ship becomes available at level 8. She still sports about the same number of guns, but has a little more cargo capacity. A wise choice for beginning traders and smugglers for swift hauls even if the winds are unfavorable. Often you will see level 50 captains use the Mastercraft version of this vessel available at level 18 as a runner or smuggling vessel to get in and out of contested waters and give larger enemy players the slip, or to cross the game map quickly. If you have ship storage available keep one of these handy even if you have out grown her limited fighting capabilities. Almost nothing can match her speed once she is properly outfitted.
CRUIZER SNOW ~
One of my favorites!!! The Cruizer Snow is not often found on the market, but sports 8 8Lb cannons on each side -- making her a good small brawler. Until recent changes in the game there used to be a heavy version (that if you can find at auction buy it!). Useable by all captains, the cruizer now becomes available at level 14. She is still nimble and has a decent upwind capability but is much better reaching or running with the wind. If you want to get your feet wet in the PVP aspect of the game take one of these ladies into the Red zone and look for prey around your same level. You will have some fun and still get sunk a time or two, but don't be too upset as they are fairly inexpensive to build. A good PVP vessel to learn in and fun alone or in packs. I highly recomend this ship for beginning Privateers or Naval Officers looking for a stout vessel to carry them leveling until they can captain their first frigate.
CHERISE SNOW ~
A favorite for traders, this is a swift small ship with a good supply of heavy (for the level) cannons and over 300 cargo capacity. She does not have swivels, but the heavier cannons and decent integrity for a small vessel makes it a popular smuggler for higher levels too. The Cherise Snow becomes available at level 10. Until recent game changes there used to be a heavy version and a trader's version, if you can find these on the auction house snatch them up. Due to her popularity there is also a Fallen Refit Snow available to pirates that is a highly desirable modified variant of this craft. A must for up and coming traders or higher levels looking to risk running supplies into red zones and be able hold a decent load while out running bigger enemy ships. She is very swift in down wind situations.
MEDIATOR CUTTER ~
If you liked the upwind capability of the sloops, here is a military scout version available at level 10. Sporting 6 heavier cannons per side and plenty of swivels, she is a good interceptor. The Mediator has slightly better armor than her Sloop counterparts and outfitted well can deliver a little more punch. I imagine a group of 6 skilled captains could harass larger ships with mediators in PVP groups and possibly take some out if handled well. Understand this ship still cannot take more than a few broadsides at under 200 yards from any Man-O-War and perhaps one from a lineship so use her upwind capability to your advantage. There is a Mastercarft version avaialable at Level 16 with heavier guns and also a special turn in version called the Lancer for Naval Officers only that offers heavier guns and a bit more armor and integrity.
LYON HOY ~
A Unique Hauler and Smuggler, the Lyon Hoy has the same cargo capacity (300 tons) as the Otter Skudda (the Trader's starting vessel). It has better up wind capability and sports 8 6Lb cannons instead of 6 4lb cannons but no swivels. This vessel is a level 4 craft meaning you can only use rough repairs. She definately is inexpensive to build and cheap to operate. If caught in a fight her heavier guns and stouter hull are a help and she can hold her own against similar vessels. The best fit for this craft is as a solid low level smuggling vessel and beginning trade ship for those who want to start on the econ side of things rather than combat. The Lyon Hoy woud suffice till you make level 10 and get a cherise Snow with better fighting ability and a bit more cargo capacity.
VAN HOORN SNOW ~
A good mix between hauling and combat capability this seems to be many players' choice as their first or second upgrade from the starter vessels. The Van Hoorn is the only ship at level 12 that has bow and stern chaser cannons. She has a decent Damage Resistance and is capable in almost all wind positions except beating into the wind. There is also a Mastercraft version available at level 20 that is not too often seen but would make an interesting option for PVP outfitted with Advanced Small fittings. But at that level most players are already interested in medium craft such as the Postillion Frigate, Lexington Brig or Hermes Packet Boat. Overall this is a good ship upgrade that can get you to level 20.
