Broadsides
 

What is the deal with them? Most of the time when I fire them they either fire almost straight up or just splash right out of the barrel. They are so frustrating I would rather not use them, but they seem to be the only way to raise your sailing level.

Indeed they are the only way to raise it, and indeed they have been broken or nerfed something fierce lately. :confused:

Yeah, I've had it where they just fire straight up. Sometimes though, they fire at the ship and do some damage.

~Q/S

You may also raise your sailing level by having the helm when your "crew" is sinking ships. In fact this is a much faster method...for every ship that is sunk you get a commensurate amount of sailing points. So ask friends and/or strangers to sail with you. :D