To veer away from the pressing issue of fishing-boat realism...
I like that now when a civ asks a player to go to war, the player can request 10 turns to prepare. However, I wish that the player could decline war, but offer help in other ways. A player should be able to offer units, gold, or open borders to help with the other civ's war efforts.
For example:
Assume that Washington pops up and asks whether you'll go to war.
You can respond in 1 of 5 ways, 1) Yes, 2) No, how could you? 3) Not interested, 4) Give me 10 turns to prepare, or
5) No, but how might I help in your war efforts?
Assume you select option 5: No, but how can I help?
Washington could answer in one or more of the following ways: 1) Never mind, I'm mad at you, 2) Thanks for offering, but you can't help me, 3) Give me X gold, 4) Give me X gold per turn, 5) Provide me X number of units within 10 turns, 6) Guarantee my troops safe passage for the duration of my war against X, 7) Close your borders with X for the duration of my war against X
I really hoped that C5 would take diplomacy to the next level....I want the experience of BARGAINING with other civs.....I think this additional diplomatic option would be great....what'cha think?