Unlimited money:
At the start of the game, begin with two ships instead of one. Hand over both ships 
to pirates (which are located in taverns in all cities). The money they generate for 
you will enable you to hand out mass amounts of loans from the loan officer's 
house. Any time you get money back, hand out another loan. Your cash flow will 
grow quickly. To generate more money, build more ships, and keep giving them to 
pirates . They will make mass amounts of money very quickly.