You run a higher framerate near land and ships (I run in the high teens there) than I do on the open ocean (60-70 range)! I'm running two SLI'd 7600GT's with graphic setting WFO in game and nVidia settings. I can see where I'm going next, but I'm an even more severe bargain hunter than you are.
Glad to see Europeans aren't left out in the cold for reasonably priced high end components. Enjoy!