How to destroy enemy navy stacks in 5.2?

[Dron22]

I recently patched to 5.2, and I noticed how now destroying someone else's navy is now tougher, even if your navy is much superior.
In my current game, I fought several wars against Spain and UK, their navies were larger but I had 3 times more heavy ships and my ships were all War Galleons, the best war ship at that point in game, while the British and Spanish fleets were mostly frigates, older heavy ships like Caravels and Caracks, even some Galleys.
And in most naval engagements I would send 3 stacks of 50 War Galleons each, total of 150 on their fleet. I would quickly win the battle, but the enemy would only 5 or 6 ships, then their navy would go to the nearest port and repair. I tried using the Excellent Shipwrights national idea which gives +2 Leader Manoeuvre in ships, but it did not help sink more ships.
In 5.1 you could say it was too easy if you have more heavy ships, then every naval battle would be a Trafalgar style victory, but now in 5.2 its frustrating that in every war the enemy navy seems to survive with minor losses. So how to play naval wars in 5.2?

 

[Emeny]

I would say it was designed this way on purpose. Losing half your naval force in a single battle would be utterly crippling to any nation, and they could basically kiss any chance of naval superiority goodbye. Only losing a few ships keeps them in the game a little longer.

Of course, it's never been all that hard to lure some AI ships out of their port. If you defeat them again when they have low moreale they are sure to lose a decent chunk of ships.

 

[Bakenellan]

It does not matter much if you destroy enemy ships or not. Sitting in their port they are not a threat to you and only a burden to enemy's economy.

 

[Dron22]

I would say it was designed this way on purpose. Losing half your naval force in a single battle would be utterly crippling to any nation, and they could basically kiss any chance of naval superiority goodbye. Only losing a few ships keeps them in the game a little longer.

Of course, it's never been all that hard to lure some AI ships out of their port. If you defeat them again when they have low moreale they are sure to lose a decent chunk of ships.

Well I never said I want to wipe out 100 ships per battle, but more like 15 or 20 at most each time, depending on how much bigger and better my Navy is.

 

[Dron22]

It does not matter much if you destroy enemy ships or not. Sitting in their port they are not a threat to you and only a burden to enemy's economy.

I disagree there, with the case of Spain they have a large colonial Empire, so they need those ships for Tariffs income. Destroying their navy would take away that and slash a large portion of their income.

 

[TheArchMede]

Lure them back out as soon as possible and splat. If necessary repeat, but you'll probably sink the entire fleet in the second battle.

You may not want to though. Unless you completely wreck them in this war, they'll have a modern fleet in the next one rather than the collection of out of date junk they currently have.

 

[Dron22]

I done this method, although a bit of a gamey exploit, I thought if I get the naval National Ideas and a skilled admiral might help wiping out enemy fleets.
Destroying fleets of a colonial power like Spain or UK is great way to harm them, because after that nothing will stop you blockading their ports for the entire war and force them to mint like mad. Also they will lose any Tariff income from colonies until they rebuild their Navy.