What are the game mechanics for capturing ships? (TAC)

[Superjew]

Ok, well I started a game yesterday, and initially I did not capture a single ship. I do a lot of loads and reloads, until I get the desired combat result as I can't afford to constantly replace ships early in the game.

As a result my privateer developed lots of veterancy.

About 70 game years in (marathon) the privateer captured its first ship, a merchantman. While this is a lopsided naval battle in favor of my privateer, I later got in another fight and captured a Carrack (this is TAC mod, in case you did not know)

I'm not sure if I really understand what makes for a ship getting captured, vs destroyed. My best guess at this point is the match up has to be heavily lopsided in favor of the attacker to capture the ship, but does anyone have any ideas as to what makes for capturing a ship vs just destroying it?

 

[raystuttgart]

Privateers can only capture ships if you are at war with the other player.
(The privateer would tell its nationality.)

Other ships like Fregates can capture enemy ships as well, by the way.

Otherwise I had programmed "Capturing Ships" to be random.
(So there is simply a chance to capture or not.)

--> You can not influence the chances of capturing by certain actions.
(You are simply lucky or not.)