I saw that the Mayans can't build them at the start. Are they forever confined to the mainland, regardless of their tech tree? Also, the Apache seem to be in the best position overall - at the Northern edge edge of the map, surrounded by easy to keep rebel provinces, in possesion of 12 attack 12 ranged attack 150 men units and with the option to call a "Warpath" (Jihad) from turn 1.

Gunpowder isn't very M2TW-ey for me either, but I'd suffer it for the sake of a new game, however the lack of boats means New Spain will forever be sending new uber stacks towards the Mayans.