Well said, but I will add it ain't specific of unrated, but let's go beyond rates now if we can. Completely eliminating a playstyle that involves daring due to some... *sigh*... type of players is a no go on my book. But let's look it from another angle...
I imagine anyone wanting to grief will be the Attack side, so wouldn't the Attacker be the one bound to some specific sort of "mechanic" ?
Aye vonGunn, reckon there was a bit of dust in the air from both sides of the fence. Pretty normal, especially when the playstyles are diametral. Personally I don't grief nor any of the fellows I follow suit. Cannot see the point of it, although when we are beaten back, by God, we do lick wound and GG. Did plenty of times.
We do have a distinct playstyle due to the historical side of age of sail we like the most - yankee privateers, french corsairs, etc - and that lives of OW prey as opposed to others that like the historical side of Trafalgar and similar game style.
Sorry for any misunderstanding.