Question pertaining to views.

[Lead line]

 I watched a few YT videos published by some who have the game and noticed they jumped from onboard views to overboard views, Can the game be played restricted to onboard views? Not as a forced option but as a preference. I've played a lot of flight sims and always favored the cockpit view. I heard one narration that claims sailing from the deck isn't possible in tight quarters.

[William the Drake]

You do in fact have the ability to maneuver and sail from the "aiming view". You can turn both your rudder and sails in the "aiming view" as well as set your sails. However, you are limited to the view of the broadside you are aiming down.

 

It is not "impossible" to sail while aiming, however it is very difficult as you do not get the 360 degree field of view and are limited to one side of the ship: you can only aim down where you have cannons, so if your ship does not have stern or bow chasers, you will be unable to aim down facing your front or rear. 

[spadde]

when in third person/hover view you can hold left mouse button and fire with space, thats all I know. Not very effiecent

[SternVonAfrika]

if you hold down Alt you can look around without moving guns when aiming. could be a workaround 

[Lead line]

So you can't rely on the gunners mate to aim the guns, sounds like the Capt. must have hands on.  Can you fire a broadside from the sailing view? If you get close enough where the aim really doesn't matter.

[Dr.Killinger]

There's also an option for transparent sails while I find extremely helpful when in the on board view. That and the mini map are very useful when fighting on all sides. 

[Mirones]

simply scroll in all the way and you got the deck view without aiming.