okay, i'd conciede to vaaish, ships can move over each other's bases, but cannot end their movement stacking/overlapping with anything, friend or foe, period. besides, the side arcs have 45* fire zone toward the back, you if you *just* pass over two enemy ships, you'll still get the shots - perhaps even at Away in place of Abeam.
-escorts vs a-boats are just fine - if you run them in b2b, massed turrets can usually make hit and running escorts a poor tactical choice.
-still on the edge about AC stacking. horizon has the point that if you have models for them as apposed to cut outs, stacking keeps you from fielding all your pretty minis.
- however, fighting two squadroned explorers launching a combined wave is ridiculous..... perhaps AC waves MUST be as square as possible?