So, recently Captain Jack made a proposal that Merchants can have 6 Ships in a fleet at any given time.
This can be found here:
http://www.piratesglory.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=3054&p=41100#p41100
This will give the chance for Pirates to run 6 Ships in a fleet, using the same technology that the Merchant technology will be to get the extra Warship however there is a catch. Unlike 4 Merchant Ships have to be in the fleet to be able to "achieve" a extra slot - In our case, 4 War Vessels have to be in the fleet with a minimum value of a Brig of War.
1) War Ship
2) War Ship
3) War Ship
4) War Ship
5) Cutter
6) Cutter
This is a serious suggestion. If Merchants are allowed a extra ship, why are we not allowed one?
I say using the same Merchant technology as they will use to get a extra ship as most likely, this is what it's going to be to get such a element - If a merchant feels like going Pirate, he will already have a research done to achieve 6 ships in a war fleet. So then, it favors both sides ( It did already, but I am just proposing this.