The docks themselves can be upgraded to allow the player to access bigger ships. The Governor's mansion can be upgraded to enhance the protection at the port and increase the potential number of recruitable sailors. The fort can be upgraded to increase the number and power of defensive cannons and the lighthouse can be upgraded to increase the spotting distance of the port. A significant portion of the game is spent making choices while anchored at port. The resource aspect of Corsairs is novel and intriguing in concept.
Players have to manage their armadas by balancing the budget of each of the ships individually.
The gold in the hold of the ship will determine the scope of the actions that a ship can take, but ships also have to be mindful and watch their budgets or risk being unable to accomplish vital maintenance, like repairs on their own damaged hulls or sails. Other management aspects include replacing lost crew, and even items like re-supply of cannons and ammunition are all managed by the ship's gold reserves. Any trading is also directly applied to the ships holding or carrying the cargo. Players must carefully manage each of their ship's monies or risk having them limp to a nearby friendly ship at port in order to transfer funds to refill empty coffers. An important limitation to keep in mind is that all trading among ships or upgrades to ports can only be done when the affected groups are gathering at the appropriate port.