One mod that's almost essential;
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/down...o=file&id=1196
Among other fixes it gives the surface ships some mass physics to reduce the zero to 37 in 1/4 second dragster acceleration. With that mod (or patch, more accurate description) the destroyers still wind up to full tilt boogie pretty quick, but nothing like the "wind it up and pop the clutch" that the stock game has. Easier and more realistic.