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A goodhelmsman avoids sandbars and storms, very very important.
Waypoints and Autosail make it alot easier, you only have to reclick auto after your helmsman warns you of a storm or after you get into a battle (Opening gunports)
Getting good stats require bigger ships, going to different ports and farther apart, owning an estate and valuable art collections, Helping out secret agents of your own country (That boosts loyalty rating), and not moving anyone with questionable cargo.
attacking enemy ships during wartime also boosts loyalty rating. Hope some of this helps if its too obvious my apologys
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