Fluyt

The Fluyt is a very common merchant ship found all over the world but especially in the Altranic Ocean. It has a decent cargo capacity but has a relatively limited amount of space for crew and is capable of carrying only 8 guns.

Fluyts are often used to transport cheap goods and as such do not generally require a great deal of protection. They are also relatively cheap vessels as they are not only limited in terms of guns and crew capacity but they are also sluggish and notoriously unresponsive.

Smaller than the Large Fluyt or the more impressive Altranic Trade Ship the Fluyt lacks the speed, guns, crew and cargo capacity to be considered a "good ship". However, despite all its failings it is not impossible to modify a Fluyt. If a Captain is willing to sacrifice cargo capacity more guns can be accommodated. Cotton sails and triple hammocks can improve its speed and its crew capacity and with some time spent adjusting its backstays, altering its godawful jib, copper-plating the hull and running up some topgallants it could be converted into something capable of outpacing and outgunning a number of other merchant vessels. Although all this work would take some time and effort it would still prove cheaper in the long run than for example buying a Merchantman.