This quest unlocks once you complete the "Now Hiring" quest. To start it, head to the beach in Nassau and sit down to light a campfire. When morning comes, one of your old friends will offer to teach you the basics of proper ship hunting.
Edward learns the basics of plundering ships from Benjamin Hornigold.
Hint:
Use the spyglass to locate and identify a Spanish schooner. Schooners are small and very common ships in the game so there are plenty of them around, and it doesn't matter which specific one you attack.
Hint:
To board an enemy ship, you must first disable it by completely draining its health bar. Broadside cannons are used to deal hull damage. Bow cannons fire chain shot - aim them at the sails to slow the enemy ship down. You should also use swivel guns to destroy weak spots that appear on the target as well as explosive barrels floating in the water. The enemy ship isn't expecting your attack, so before you open fire, sail up to it and position yourself accordingly.
Once you deplete the schooner's health bar, stop firing or you will sink it. Approach one of its sides slowly - taking care not to ram it - and dock alongside to initiate the boarding process.
To lower the morale of the enemy crew, you must kill a sufficient number of enemy sailors. The most dangerous enemy during a boarding action is the captain, whom you can identify by his distinct attire - he usually wears a bigger hat and a cape.
Before you jump onto the enemy ship, you can use swivel gun mounted on your ship to eliminate a few enemies.
Next, jump onto the enemy deck and start eliminating more enemy sailors.
Once the morale bar drops to zero, the enemy crew will surrender, and you will collect the loot.
Sail to the port of Salt Key Bank and dock the Jackdaw at the pier there.
Disembark and head to the local harbor master. Spend your acquired Reales on upgrading the Jackdaw's hull, which will complete this quest and unlock the next one - Raise the Black Flag.
