Really enjoying it but finding the ship combat really cumbersome

I'm on the mission where you need to tail El Arca del Maestro, the ship sinks a few boats and then departs, then you have to fight a handful of Spanish ships and I'm really struggling.

I've died 8 times in a row on this, and the annoying thing is you have to tail El Arca del Maestro all over again every time you die.

It's been a long time since I've rage quit a game.

The game has been relatively easy yet still fun up to this point.

Any tips on ship battles? They feel really awkward for me at the moment.