After taking another loss to a brit discovery boomer a few people suggested to not rush to fortress but rather stay in colonial, and try a pike crossbow rush there, which makes sence, even for Ports. I have come to realise that playing against Brits is one of the few, if not the only case where the emphasis is for me to take him out early, not the other way around as am used too. However I cannot seem to beat these guys on water. On Both caribbean and Amazonia, I can take the water early and control most of my shores with TC's, but thats about where the party ends. On both Maps, the Brit sits back and outbooms me. On Amazonia, artillary eventually forces my boats away from the shore allowing him to get a dock in, where his mass of fueled economy navy can eventually ovepower mine. On Caribbean, its even harder, because its more difficult to monitor his entire shore without being shot at. Usually the dock gets built when Im not looking, or even if I can keep him covered the artillary defends the position.
What options do I have on water. Some kind of early rush using a galley? An all food boom myself? Any thoughts would be most appreciated.