Yup, I'm in it for the gold and new treasure items as well. I get the same error from time to time when trying to transfer gold too.
As for fighting tips...I use your same method Close=11, Mid=21 and Long=31, as for power I always shoot at Medium Strength first, sometimes I get lucky and if I don't you will know what the second shot needs to be as it tells you if you are short or overshot.
For you all that play...please contribute things that I'm missing over at this thread
http://www.piratesonlineforums.com/f...ad.php?t=10255