I have been reading the Hornblower series, and wondering whether there is a practical way to stage mock naval battles for catamarans. The idea is to fire from 10 yards to 20 yards, and have some way of determining when a boat has been put out of action.

Paintball guns would work, but they would probably trash sails if they hit them, and I imagine that paint is kinda permanent, too.

Any ideas?

Jonathan