Sailing Interface?
 

So what is the timer counting down for while sailing?
We've never stayed out long enough to tell.

Thanks!

I'm assuming its a timeout so people don't sit in their boats and idle.

I walked away and the timer ranout and I ended up in jail.

You might have just been shot down... although that would explain the timer.

I think it's so that people cna only be at sea an hour at a time so that the ocean isn't clogged up.

Well, I was on a laptop on my bed while the game was running on my desk, so I know that I wasn't shot down.

I think the timer is until the kraken comes. If you want to try and beat him, devote an hour to the game and bring a massive crew. Should be fun!

No. From the Player's Guide:

From the time you leave port, a counter on the left side of the screen will count down 60 real-world minutes. You must complete your adventure and return to port in that time or your ship's supplies will run out. If that happens, you and your crew are lost at sea and all the booty you've plundered will wash away.

_

I did it and nothing happened. The ship just sank.