Boarding is the action of switching from ship to ship combat to avatar combat between the sailors of each ship. In order to initiate boarding you will have to successfully grapple the ship.
Some of the factors that influence your chances of getting a successful grapple include distance between the ships, relative speed of the ships, and direction of travel of each ship. For example, your chances are maximized by traveling right along side your target in a parallel course at an equal speed.
In boarding you and your crew fight man to man against the enemy captain and his crew. One of the factors that are most important in boarding is crew size. Some outfitting components aid in grappling, boarding, or repelling boarders.
- See also Boarding Guide by Ghost Rider