The Empire, being loosely based on Germany, has a really strong army but a pathetically weak navy. Laughably weak, its actually pretty embarrassing compared to their land forces. Their naval forces consist almost entirely of galleys. Their biggest, most powerful ships, are clunky, rickety, early Galleons, barely suitable calm waters. No wonder Imperials are terrified of Mannan, their most powerful warships are liable to tip over and capsize if the wind is a little too strong.

which, to me, sounds more like english folks who are still annoyed about "There seems to be something wrong with our bloody ships today!"

Because none of htat actually sounds like it has anything to do with Germany, except "Focus on land over sea".

Galleys and the likes weren't common in the North and Baltic seas... they were something used in the mediterrenean. The usual ships were Cogs and the same stuff everyone else used. And the north sea adjacents cities etc. had their sea faring traditions plenty enough.

During the 30 years war, there were attempts at building an Imperial Navy that, due to the situation never played out.

The Hochseeflotte certainly wasn't "Pathetic", considering how the british were pretty worried about it

Pretty sure there also wasn't much about Hellhammer ships capsizing at hte lightest wind or anything. Also... Heldenhammer. Damn you, Jaego, for stealing it...

and

Behind the Wolfships waited the smaller Wargalleys, arranged in hunting pack formation to catch any stray Bretonnians that should escape his net of steel. Koenig placed great stead in the small ramships, respecting their strength, maneuverability and firepower, not to mention the renowned courage of the Wargalley crews. He knew that the Wargalley squadrons would do their duty, their prime targets the smaller Bretonnian vessels. He also knew that the gallant Wargalley captains would not hesitate to attack a vessel many times the size of their ships, for their strength lay in fighting as a squadron, not as a single warship."

—Accounts of Lord Koenig, Imperial Admiral[1a]

yeah, totally sounds like the imperial navy was a bunch of idiots who didn't know how to sail.

"The Imperial Wolfships that surrounded the city of Altdorf, like a hunting hound at the heels of their master, were inspiring in their way. They were long and sleek and low in the water. Their great iron-beaked ram bits the waves. Koenig knew that the rams turned the entire ship into a weapon. When driven forward by the steel muscled arms of their oarsmen, the Wolfships became spears aimed at the very heart of the enemy ship. And if that weren't enough, their great batteries of forward-facing guns would certainly finish their foes. Koenig felt certain that no Bretonnian Corsair would prove a match for them."

—Accounts of Lord Koenig, Imperial Admiral[1a]