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.