So after its introduction in AC3, naval combat makes it's return in AC4. And just like AC3 I detest the naval combat. I find the ship unwieldy to control in a fight, you always seem to be outnumbered by better outfitted ships, and I am just plain horrible in any fight I engage in. But there seem to be a number of people who thought the sea faring segments of AC3 to be its only redeeming quality. So I implore you salty sea captains out there, share some tips and tricks and help me enjoy this game and keep my out of Davy Jones' Locker.

@david3cm: For one thing you're insane. Apart from that there's a fair amount of nuance to the combat unlike AC3 which was relatively simple but still fun. Swivels are much improved so if you land a good hit with a broadside or chain shot you can immediately follow up with a swivel to do more damage. Barrels might seem like they're useless to start out but for any ship that's trying to ram you they're great; position yourself facing the opposite direction of the charger (likely a brig), slow to one speed (half sail/main sail) until he's relatively close, then speed up (full sail) and drop barrels so they explode in his face; glorious!

The main thing to do early on is get to where you can upgrade your ship, once you upgrade your hull strength once you can take on most stuff in the first area but occasionally there will be a frigate (difficult) or a man-o-war (don't fuck with them); for my part a social event spawned when I first set out to sea and whatever ship it was killed me in two broadsides repeatedly, but I learned my lesson and progressed the plot a bit and I'm fairly sure I've taken out tougher stuff since then (most notably a super brig which was joined by a hunter brig mid fight; got me pretty low even though I had doubly upgraded hull; always run around notorious since it makes the game more awesome).

Use little ships in convoys (can't board gunboats but anything bigger, schooners mainly) as "medkits" so blast them until you can board them (magical white pillar/sails down/on fire) and then wait until you need some health then go heal, repeat.

Do take cover when you are getting fired at, it basically means you won't take damage.

SOmetime i do in battle with msot ships is that i stop my ship from moving, makes it easier to target. Also try aiming for the hull of the enemy ship.

It's just circle strafing til you win. And open with mortars, you can hit them at 500 metres and get them to next to no health by the time they've closed in. I've given up on boat combat as I've got 1200+ metal, 62,000 cash and no plans for the final upgrades yet. Remember to just fire sideways without the aim if you're close so it uses your power cannons. I think they reload separately to the round shot as you can always hit LB and let them fly straight after.