Design perfection versus operational endurance

French sailing-warship designs pursued speed and efficient use of the wind, yet those advantages could impose costs during long ocean passages. A fast Atlantic crossing was less useful if the ship's movement left its crew needing days to recover before fighting. British alterations favoured reaching the destination with sailors ready for action, even if the passage took a little longer. A ship's practical value therefore depended on its crew's condition on arrival as well as its sailing performance.