I would like to add some suggestions, especially addressing phase 2 of the roadmap:
There are a lot more ship types that can be added. Just think of Pinnace, Dutch Fluyts, Ship of the Line with 2- and 3-decks, Brigs, Barques, Haffboots and so on. I suggest to reduce the masts on all of the ships. The ship types currently in game (and the above mentioned) are from the 16. and 17. century and mostly they had two or three masts with square and/or gaff rigs.
Maybe make the sails and mast more different in size - not just three size types but five or so and also different in crew requirements. (tiny to medium sails can be used by only one crew mate, larger sails need two or more to be used with optimum speed for raising and pulling them into the wind).
Additionally the ships need a proper system for creating structures on the hull and a proper positioning of the masts. figureheads should also be craftable in a basic variant and then upgraded with "skins" or whatever - as steering wheels and other ornamentation across the vessel. Designing the ship interior would make living on our ships much more satisfing as well (not just walls inside the ship but also furniture, land structure will also benefit from them).
A limitation of guns aboard a ship, or at least a minimum space between stationary weapons would also help to build better ships. A Schooner firing 10 guns in the rear, well, it looks weird and in PvP I don't think it's fair.
Just some thoughs, after a long trip across the seas.
