Storms

Have anyone noticed that storms seems to be quite a bit more dangerous than they used to be, in particular the French fleet in game 3 seems to have a hard time which must be frustrating for some.

I hadn't noticed it in Game 8, though having lost a small transport fleet (and the army it was carrying) in a storm in Game 2 and losing a squadron in a storm in Game 3 (both some years back), I've always been very cautious about sailing in bad weather since then .

Ref Storms,

What I have noticed is that big tropical storms do not seem to happen at the correct time of year - roughly end of July to October is the "Hurricane Season in the West Indies".

Ref G8 I think the Manchu cowboys who think they can sail should suffer a lot worse than proper Seafarers in a Typhoon since they will not spot the signs in time being stupid barbarians.

I notice quite a lot of anti-Imperial antagonism versus The Imperial Qing Dynasty in your posts.
The Imperial Qing Dynasty is the the cultural and economic center of the world and I am confidant that the Imperial Fleet will prove their ability against the pirate scum over the coming months.
You are always welcome to test their level of competence if that is your wish.

Ignoring Stuart's rants...which clearly show he is in the pay of war-mongering barbarians determined to blacken the good name of the peace-loving, law-abiding and generally wonderful Manchu Empire

What has happened to the French Fleet in G3? Has it taken damage or lost ships?

From the Vossiche Zeitung:

In August 1737 a French fleet (50 SOL`s, 35 Cruisers) started the blockade of Boston, in January 1738 they where caught in a storm and ended up in Bantry Bay, Ireland.
A fresh fleet appeared the same month 65 Sol`s and 17 Cruisers) but was blown away to the Azores in February 1738. I assume this has caused some gnashing of teeth in the French camp. So no lost ships as far as is reported, but 115 SOL`s and 52 Cruisers suffering storm damage in 2 months must be high on the list of bad weather.

I wonder if this is an example of that 'behind the scenes' balance that is sometimes more apparent than not. The kind of balance that prevents any one player getting too big for his boots?

I once saw an entire army (garrisoned) in a town, captured by few units that managed to march into a capital unchallenged. That was unlucky for the player who was, at that point, controlling a significant portion the world.