when u start in story mode first hire ten more sailors.then buy some ammo(but dont spend all of your cash!).go to the town hall and get the deliver a letter job.then deliver the letter and buy some more ammo.if you are lucky u can find a carrack merchant ship .if there r two in the battle retreat.start going in circles around the carrack and fire cannons until 10 or more of there guys r dead.then board them and take over the ship.then go to a port and get the deliver a letter job again to gain money to buy more cannons men and ammo.I think this is the best way to start off a story mode game.u dont hav to listen to me do watever u want but thats the way i became a pirate captain!