Sailing and gunning skill requirement?

[seafox]

well , of course, I would say privateering.

The fleet invasions are hard, but if you do enough of them you learn you just need distance out from the bow or the rear of the ship of the line..a war frigate and a crew with good ammo and skill can take these down . Remember to repair often or port and put out again if you take heavy damage.

Cannon Defense is lengthy more than hard. Equip a gunners ram if you have one b4 you enter and use all the preparedness tips Igor has already posted. Aiming is different from cannoning in game so that is a challenge but you pick that up after a few times.

Plundering, again, use distance...let the ships roll into you..they will line up and sail bow first towards your ship(the exception being a few rogue ones with an attitude).

Privateering, or ship pvp, takes more skills....you can't always have a crew with maxxed fury..and you might even have to solo. Your enemies and their skill levels and abilities always change. The human factor always influences the outcome.