So here is my big idea... Buzzsaw Crossbow(TBC).
It does the same piercing damage as the gat and it does damage to parts like the gat only difference really to the gat is its firing capabilities.
It fires single shot buzz saws which ricochet through the ship causing damage to the hull
Reload time: would be on average about 2 secs.
Range: this would have to be able to compete with gat's or maybe do better as its single shot so I would say around 800-900 m
Damage: as this bad boy will be single shot and will have to strip hull i would say about 100 piercing and 20 shatter or 40 flechette
BASICALLY WE CAN HAVE CROSSBOW AND FLAK/MORTAR COMBOS NOW!
So that's about it argue debate call me an idiot whatever.