[Space/Spaceships] Getting the velocity/Delta V I want with the tech I want

[johndallman]

Originally Posted by flyingwombat

Four years isn't all that long. I believe that is how long it took for ships to go from Spain to the Philippines and back.

Those were carrying goods (such as spices) that were both lightweight and extremely valuable, rather than more general trade. Also, sailing ships were a technology that was quite economical to run, didn't have to carry their propulsive energy with them and provided a very low standard of living for their crews. Spaceships don't usually meet those criteria.