Had to get six items (forget just what it was) from vulture pirates. It ook twenty ships to get the six items. There has to be a better win ratio than this!
That kind of stuff doesn't really bother me. You get nautical xp, which you always need because if you just do the ship quests you will always behind your regular level, plus you get gold and sometimes awesome drops. If you can't use them your younger pirates can or you can sell them. So try looking at the glass as half full. Good rewards for the fights that you Do do.