The few times I've seen tall ships, they've always been things of remarkable beauty
But then, they also weren't the giants you guys are talking about.
A couple of tidbits I recall from my readings about such vessels...
Sand would apparently be spread on the deck before battle, because once the wood was sloshing with blood it was almost impossible to remain on your feet.
There was an officer (whose name escapes me, hope it's not someone I should know) who was killed not by the impact of a cannonball, but rather by the head of a sailor who'd just been blown to peices by a cannonball. Ahh, good times...