Introduction
While you are leveling and progressing in Skull And Bones, you will see a glimpse of the loadout possibilities that will be more present and important in the future of the game, this guide is to help you understand the depth and the choices you are going to do during theorycrafting, this part focusing into the ship selection.

Loadout tool
To help you out building loadouts, I can only advise you to use this tool.
https://skullandbonestools.de/en/loadout

Quick Review
We currently have 10 playable ships in the game, 5 in small, and 5 in medium sizes.
You can check for the stats, perks, and analysis on the pages below.
https://thehelm.gg/quartermaster/smallships/
https://thehelm.gg/quartermaster/mediumships/

So, the first step in working on a build, is to find a suitable ship, one that will help you fulfill your objective. Your choice have to be made regarding all stats.
If you want to go to a more DPS build, the important stats are Perks, Gunports, Sailing Profile.
If you want to go to a more TANK build, the important stats are Perks, Hull Health, Brace Strength.
If you want to go to a more SUPPORT build, the important stats are Perks, Sailing Profile, Hull Health.

Dps
The possible ship choices for a dps are :
Bedar, front and broadsides slots, medium gunports and medium speed, perk of Rammer.
Barge, all gun slots, medium gunports and medium speed, perk of Fire Status.
Sloop, front and broadsides slots, medium gunports and medium speed, perk of Explosive and Structural damages.
Brigantine, all gun slots, good gunports and highest speed, perk of Rammer.
Sambuk, all gun slots, highest gunports and medium speed, perk of Fire Status.
Padewakang, all gun slots, medium gunports and medium speed, perk of Explosive and Structural damages.

Tank
The possible ship choices for a tank are:
Hulk, 30.000 hull health, 24.000 brace strength, low speed and gunports, perk of increased Brace Capacity.
Snow, 50.000 hull health, 25.000 brace strength, medium speed and gunports, perk of Brace recovery.

Support
The possible ship choices for a support are:
Cutter, 21.000 hull health, medium speed, gunports and brace strength, perk of Self Repair and Severe Damage heals.
Barque, 36.000 hull health, high speed, medium gunports, perk of AOE Healing and Severe Damage heals.

Advices
Dps: Barge and Brigantine as general dps, Sloop and Padewakang as Fortress plundering.
Tank: If a small needed, hulk, otherwise the Snow is clearly a better option.
Support: If a small is needed, cutter, otherwise the Barque is clearly a better option.