Quote Originally Posted by Bob the Insane
That is true but whether we like it or not it is simply not a particular focus of the game.

I prefer the abstracted method now in place to any half done attempt at a 3D version. I can't imagine how complicated it would be to create a decent simulation of an early medieval naval battle (no cannons, just a lot of ramming and bording). You have winds and currents, coastal hazzards and you would want to ships too move in a realistic manner not like some common RTS...

For me personally it is abstracted or done right, no middle ground and if the done right would take to long I will live with the abstracted...
That was the point I was trying to make in my original post...the paradox naval combat (or indeed any combat) is not a 3D masterpiece but still handled in a way that needs your input and considerations to work effectively.

The TW versions are abstracted to the point of pointlessness...something along the lines of the Paradox system would be relatively easy to implement and finally give naval matters the importance they deserve.