How do stats work in AoP

[Cyrus]

I know I should be waiting for the manual to be updated, but I'm hoping for quick answers to these:

1) Are the attributes and and ability ratings combined in tests or is it just the ability ratings?
Ex.: Is a sailing test done against Sailing + Dexterity or only against Sailing?

2) Do current sails and mast scores figure into how easy it is to advance/retreat in combat or is it only the captains' relative skills? Sometimes it seems a ship with 0 sails can still manage to escape from boarding range.

[acehawk]

I'd just like to comment that these sort of questions should not be necessary. This is basic information that should be addressed in the start guide, tooltips, or an in game manual.