I think my Ranking would be subject to change, but here’s what I came up with.
1. Franklin
2. Hades’ Realm
3. HMS Forge
4. HMS Phoenix
-Perfect for a world hater, and an underrated hybrid/budget gunship option.
5. Red Curse
-Cargo, ability and guns make this one quite interesting, and one of the better hybrids.
6. HMS Richards / USS Seattle
7. HMS Burma / Last Hope
8. Jape
-Solid short-range brawler, not too inferior to the above ships.
9. Isabela
-Spain has so many better ways to get gold bonuses, and the speed really holds her back.
10. Empty Sky
Just missed: Independence , Tasmanian Devil (one of the most underrated first-strike options in the game with S+L+S speed and essentially four 3L cannons assuming captain+helmsman)
Honorable mentions: Electric Eel , Fool’s Gold
Original thread on Miniature Trading