As I understood it the question was hypothetical and open ended. It did not say for instance what ship made by Ares would you like to command in the Anchorage campaign.
Therefore, I just answered for my personal preference. I do, however, agree with Jonas about there being nothing like a good sized Frigate, hence my choice of the HEIC Nottingham for the Solo game.
The stats I use are the lower set of Constitution rules, as it was known that the HEIC could afford to provide the best guns for their ships, and even the Indiamen often formed up in the LOB.
For Squadrons I like to run 74s. That was my original choice before I got to playing the game seriously.
As for living back then, with my experience of re-enactment through several periods, no thanks. With my medical requirements I would not be living for long, even if a ball did not take my head off in the first battle.
Rob.