Discussion on the academy and tech research that could spice up naval encounters led to the following idea and suggestion that I felt deserved a separate discussion-

Fishing vessels.

While any trade vessel in the game can be used for fishing at the moment, it does not make historical sense that this should be the case.

A trade vessel is not build for fishing, and most would have a hard time catching fish in any amounts that would make it worth their time and effort. The ships simply were not built for it.

I would therefore like to suggest the following three historic fishing vessels for consideration:

~The Smack(or Fishing Smack).

Small vessel made for working close to land. Unarmed. Not great for transcontinental travel. Perhaps prone to being lost if sent across the sea to another port. Best built at the port where it will be operating. Allow creation of a "Fishing Fleet" that could contain more than five of these ships, or no admiral needed for creation of fishing fleet. Food gathering rate on par with current rates when fishing with trade vessels.

~The Hog Boat

Larger, higher capacity fishing vessel than the Smack. Unarmed. Safer to send on transcontinental trips. Fishes in deeper water, and can catch larger fish. Food gather rate is on par with normal rates, but at times can catch much more or much less than the normal rate. Due to higher capacity, does not return to port as often. Can carry very small inventory of trade goods, but not meant for travel with cargo. Extremely slow transcontinental travel.

~The Balener

A whaler. Unarmed. Specialized fishing vessel that would be sent "out to sea" until it had harvested a whale. Once sent to sea, and after a certain reasonable amount of time had passed, it would have a certain percentage chance that it would "encounter" and harvest a whale. Chance of encounter would be minimal at first, but the longer its time at sea, the greater the chance it would "encounter" and harvest its target. Would return to port of origin after allocated time.

Whale materials were very valuable, and on occasion could harvest Ambergris- a very valuable product indeed.

Baleners at sea would appear randomly on skirmish screens at various ports near their port of origin. If skirmished while empty, the attacking party would get a note that they had raided a whaler and nothing was on board. If skirmished after a whale had been harvested, attacker would receive gold on par with value of contents. Ambergris was worth near its weight in gold, and taking a whaler with ambergris on board should be considered a high prize by pirates and warring merchants alike.

If eventually put into the game, fishing fleet option should likely no longer be available for current trade vessels.

Respectfully submitted...

~TH~

+1

When Fishing was introduced, it was intended that a dedicated fishing vessel (the Dogger) be also introduced : Its performance would be such that other vessels could not compete for efficiency : Alas, despite many requests and reminders, it has never appeared and on the last occasion it was mentioned, CJ seemed to infer it was now disapproved, kicked into the long grass, an ex-notion, an idea which has kicked the bucket and joined the choir celestial. We may pray it is merely resting and not just pining for the fjords, but, realistically... it's dead.

There is always a chance at resurrecting it if it is dead, if there is enough interest.

If it is just lost in the high grass, then it can be found.

I am suggesting more than just another ship or two that catch fish faster anyway.

The ships I am suggesting would allow the player to basically create and manage a port-oriented fishing industry.

Players are already doing it with trade galleys and such. Lets take the trade ships out of the fishing equation, and create some variety around a more realistic fishing industry in the game.

Oh, I agree : I was a big supporter of the Dogger idea : I was the one reminding and asking why it hadnt showed up : I feel a 'proper' fishing vessel would fit well, but, in truth, fishing worked too well (i.e was too profitable) when it was introduced and, it seems to me, the admins seem to view it as maybe an error and so seem to have killed the whole idea off : it was nerfed to the current fishing rates which will never match the income from trading so, its pretty much dead.

Hmm... I was not around for those discussions, so not sure how it went. Does not sound like it went well though.

As it stands, I would not think fishing would ever mach trade for income. It has become sort of a bread-and-butter base income for many players though. I think it plays a roll in the game that could be improved on, and by improved on I refer to the mechanics of it, not the profit.