Sailing Ships rules.

"As idle as a painted ship upon a painted ocean" so the Rhyme of The Ancient Mariner goes,and in an idle moment(there's lots of those when you're retired!) I decided to re-visit some ancient old ships I acquired about a million years ago,and try to write some easy and fast rules for them.
I already have two sets of rules for Napoleonic ships,but they are not "user-friendly" and,to me, are far too complicated for a relaxing and fun night's wargaming.

This is one of my ships,made of metal with a few bits of thread added,and a quick paint job.
As most of you will know I am a complete "skinflint" with an eye for a bargain,and when I tell you that it is a "pencil sharpener" you shouldn't be surprised!!

Just to prove it,there's the hole for the pencil!!-I bought these about twenty years ago from a guy in Durham market,who couldn't believe why I wanted twelve of them and for what purpose!!

Ah,domestic bliss-the wife's doing some housework,and I'm "fannying about" with toys.
This a photo of all the ships I have,which cost me under a pound each-well,I'm not made of money!!-I saw, at Vapnartak, on Sunday a beautifully painted and boxed sailing ship for £12 at roughly the same scale!!

The rules in "early" stages-the ship profiles are covered with a plastic envelope,and can be written upon with a felt tip pen(not "permanent" marker!) and therefore wiped off for casualties etc.-a record of the number of Guns,Crew,Masts are written on the sheets,and any other information needed can be written on the sides-simple and effective,what could possibly go wrong?-Turning into the wind,that's what!!!

Who on earth can wrap their minds around this??-Actually,once you've cracked it,it's quite simple!(Hmm,right!!) a protractor and a careful eye as to where the side of the table is,is all that is required.

Two shots of the "fleets" being put through their paces-my early thoughts about shooting at the masts of the enemy,proved too effective,so it's back to the drawing board for that bit of my rules,but,I am assured that play-testing and play-testing and play-testing again is the secret,so I'll persevere until it feels right!

One of my two Spanish ships,coupled with 4 French,and against them 6 British ships.
Any comments?