Play till u get at least 2000 starting gold. Buy loot bonus first, then cannons, then the flag that adds several bonuses, then at the final boss sell the loot and buy the speed boost cannon. Note: this is after you fight the final boss that you unlock the final tier of weapons/upgrades which you WILL need. And also when you save a little extra change in between buy the boat upgrades till the 2000 one, dont buy the 5000 till you defeat the final boss. final boss has 2 waves, first is regular ship, then after you defeat him he turns into the ghost ship.