Merchant vessels were not designed for combat. They were slow lumbering vessels designed to have a large capacity for transporting goods but at the sacrifice of manoeuvrability.
In Black Seas there are many scenarios that necessitate the use of merchant vessels. Scenario 4 - Blood & Plunder! (Page 41 Black Seas rulebook), see two opposing privateer fleets attempt to claim the contents of merchant vessels for their own, whereas Scenario 9 - Landing Expedition (Page 46 Black Seas rulebook) sees merchant vessels loaded with troops attempting to cross hostile waters and disgorge their loads onto a contested island.
For an alternative use of the merchant vessels, consider the Smugglers Run free downloadable campaign.
The kit contains one large and one small merchant vessel, each customisable with optional figureheads.
Contains 2 resin and metal vessels.
Models supplied unassembled and unpainted