What the..... Sea Routes

[OGGleep]

I am having issues with sea routes. I must be missing something, I hope you all can help clear this up.

I am playing as Russia.

The first and only Merchant port I built was in Kursk, midway through the first era. I built a merchant vessel and when I selected it, two ports were highlighted. One in Egypt, and another in Venice. I selected the Egypt one and established the route, I assume this was possible because I also owned Greece and its port of Athens.

Anyhow, I am midway through the 2nd era and decided to continue to make sea routes now that I had some breathing room.

I did exactly what I did before, I made a merchent vessel in Kursk and when it launced I selected it. This time no ports were highlighted. Confused, I built a merchant port in Athens, as this was the direct link to the Venice port. I built a merchant vessel in Greece, and when it Launced I selected it. Again, nothing became highlighted.

What is going on here? No changes in Ownership have happened in between the first and 2nd time I built trade ships. Now I have 2 useless merchant vessels. Can they ever be used to establish trade routes?

Does anyone know why I could establish trade routes to 2 ports with the 1st Merchant ship, but with the 2nd merchant ship, I could no longer select the port in venice?

[FM200]

I think you may have to build a trade building in the other countries in order to link with their sea trade.

[Shearer9]

i have merchant ports, but how and where the hell do i create brigantines

[Killaw]

Originally Posted by Shearer9

i have merchant ports, but how and where the hell do i create brigantines

click on the button that display trade routes, click on the port, here you can create merchand boats and set trade routes.
check manual.

regards,
Sensi

[OGGleep]

Yes, all ports I was referencing that didn't specifically state that I owned them were foreign ports.

First Brig, I could build in two ports, 2nd brig I could build in 0 ports.

[Nial]

After you've built a merchant harbor, you can build a brigintine in that port.
When it's complete, you can only see it on the trade screen. Select it, and move it to a port that you have an available trade route with ( all trade routes that are possible for your nation to see are represented on the map. When you scroll across them, you will see info about the route, which will include whether it is available at the time.) With the left mouse button held down select the brigintine, move it to an available port. ( indicated by a green circle around said port.) When the port highlights! Drop the brigintine on it. Walla....you created a trade route.

Hope thats what you were asking for.