I've collected all the rules info in the first post of this thread, and that's where I will continue to add stuff.
In particular, I've added information on purchasing gear and designing ships.
The party's ship will be communally created. Although not all the characters will have ever set foot on the ship before the game starts, every player may have input in creating her.
The aim is for her to have something for everyone, and to make her an additional unifying force for the party. So, as you are thinking about your character, think also about (and discuss/inform me about) the features an ideal ship for that character would have.
Thondor, are you still interested?