The British moving a knot faster than the French was merely an aspect of the ships. My house rules are played without cards and enable ships to sail as slow as a knot. Sailing with battle sails, the British 1st rates are a knot faster than the French 1sts. The slowest ship establishes the speed of the line.

Having the weathergauge definitely is an advantage tactically as the fleet to weather can lunge, whereas the leeward fleet becomes slower if it turns toward the windward fleet.