As a relatively new returner to the game, I say that allowing players to capture all ships has been a great boon to me and probobly alot of players because it allows them to gain the experience and confidence needed to be able to get back into the fray. I think the developers need to make a way to tax the top nations by either placing a higher burden on their crew recruitment costs or have a higher tax to their mother kingdom, or whatnot.( because even though having to trade seems like a menial task... especially when the traders are complaining of being ganked! If everybody needs to make money to pay for the crews then maybe people will be more apt to defend the trade lanes and help out more! Thus bringing a feel of a more connected community!)
But I definitely feel that anything that allow the players to get into the action more easily is always a plus for the game entirely and removing the option from the players would be a move in the wrong direction. I also like that crafting system has been made easier because in the past (a year or so ago) there were so many different steps to collecting variety of items that it made jumping into ship building feel a little bit overwhelming.
Game has come a long way from the start and I think it will make a great jumping point for NA 2!