Smaller ships shouldn't be able to scratch a SOL. The cannon balls of the lighter guns would simply bounce off their hulls. Limit damage to sails only. Also, you may be able to simplify gameplay with fleet orders as in sloops can only fire when supporting a frigate. Rules making each class of ship actually behave like their class is important. Otherwise, a lucky enough sloop can totally disable a SOL with rudder damage. Winning a sea battle by fluke only provokes bad feelings.

Although this next comment is not about tournament rules, per se, Reloading and broadsides are not realistic in SOG. A Ship of the line has three gun decks, each capable of firing independently of the other. A full broadside does not mean that all three decks fire simultaneously. A full broadside usually meant that the biggest guns on the lowest deck fired. Then, the lighter guns come into action. If all the guns went off at once, it would rock the boat so badly that you would swamp the gun decks on the opposite side. You should be able to fire your 32 pounders one turn, and fire your 24 pounders the very next turn. Just sayin'.