If you can still see it, you are in range. Besides, cripled ships are still there, if you go on a detour with the gents of the Royal Navy. I have come back to damaged ships later many times. Just mark it on the map, if you think the battle for survival will take a long time.
BTW, damage stuff with the smaller ships is pretty messed up in that damage model. Dont ever go after a fishing boat, for instance. (Not that most do, anyway) But sometimes ships will go boom like in stock. Its all about where you hit.
You will learn the hard way, rob. (And you will get killed in the progress, many times)
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