Hornblower novels have inspired me to look at this...

 

This game and the land based Duty and Honour look interesting. A certain amount of abstract gaming, with a nice feel to it. 

I also looked at Privateers and Gentlemen, a game from the 80's by FGU and still available. It certainly shows its age, and while it has some nice flavour aspects, I am not certain there is a good game in the convoluted rule books. The companion rules, Hearts of Oak do look good, should work for players who want to control a ship, but do not want to take up sailing.

While not the same time period, I will also be reading Pirates of Legend, to see what ideas are contained therein.

Current front runners for Superhero RPG, Marvel Heroic Roleplaying

 Well, I have read through the Marvel Universe game, and many of the reviews, and while I do like certain aspects of the game, I have to say the two games pictured above are still my current favorites.

Stumbled upon a copy of an old (2003) Marvel game

I found this and an X-men source book at a game store out in Orleans (east end of Ottawa), only $10  each.