Why make it a subpar to your average gunboat when Kusari explorer (a proper heavy gunboat) is currently being used for the same role without causing any problems? Plus, considering the size/hull ratio, this thing will be a shieldboat anyways, so giving it appropriate number of turrets wouldn't make it that overpowered.
Hm, valid argument. We'll take it into account.
As a side note, It's good to have people like you around, who actually put a second or two in coming up with proper arguments and functional alternatives when they encounter a proposed change not to their liking, rather than just going on a pointless spree of webkiddierage with their cries of FinalNail™. You're a valuable member of the community and the effort you put into contributing to the development of this mod is appreciated, so keep up the good work.