Why more money alone could not fix the Revolutionary French Navy

Could heavier French naval investment before Napoleon have overcome the Royal Navy?

Not by itself; France could build ships, but political turnover, weak promotion, and inadequate sea experience remained the decisive problems.

Revolutionary and Napoleonic France already committed serious resources to building many third rates. The deeper weakness was institutional: experienced officers were repeatedly removed or killed, replacements were promoted for reasons other than competence, and crews lacked sustained time at sea. More investment would help, but it could not quickly recreate the professional system confronting the Royal Navy. The exchange separates material strength from trained fighting capacity.