Rough fleet estimates place about 57,000 men in 103 third rates, around 36,000 in 360 sloops with roughly 90-100 men each, and about 33,000 in 134 fifth rates with roughly 250 each. These estimates show how much of the Navy's manpower served below the largest first rates. Sailing ships needed a substantial core who could handle sails, fight guns, and obey orders in combat. A crew made mostly of men who did not want to serve risked mutiny and poor performance. Gun brigs, cutters, schooners and other small vessels had still less margin for an unwilling crew. Pressed men supplied some personnel, but commanders had strong operational reasons to seek experienced and willing sailors.
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Why ships could not rely on unwilling majorities
Crew sizes on ships of the line, frigates, and smaller vessels explain why an overwhelmingly unwilling crew would be a serious operational risk.