Usually there are at least two captains at any time available in random taverns (river towns are a good bet early on). If you hire one of them, a new one will appear in a day or so. If you don't hire captains for a long time, a lot of them will be available in the various taverns.
Skills
Captains have three skills: Trade, Sailing and Fighting; the level of each skill is rated from 0 to 5. Highly skilled captains are paid more gold every day. A Captain's age will help determine how long they will serve you, as they retire after a few decades.
Trade skill
Allows the captain to purchase goods at a lower price (there is no bonus for selling goods):
- Trade 1 - 5% discount
- Trade 2-3 - 7% discount
- Trade 4 - 9% discount
- Trade 5 - 10% discount
Works with: automatic trading.
Doesn't work with: manual trading, Expeditions (expedition prices are randomly determined based on the time of sailing off the map).
Sailing skill
Improves a ship's manoeuvrability and speed during combat.
Works with: combat speed and manoeuvrability.
Doesn't work with: sea travel speed, expedition travel speed.
Fighting skill
Gives sailors an advantage in boarding battles.