I don't think Pirate Ship should win here. There's no +buy. So even if you get your PS way up, there's no way to take advantage of the coin it provides. It's always just going to be a terminal +$3-$5 here. Which is okay, but it's also helping trash the other guy's Coppers, which is something the other guy wants!
Against it, cant you just like amass Hermits and quickly replenish lost Silver?
I actually think the Noble Brigand, more than the Pirate Ship, poses a possible threat. Noble Brigand actually pretty effectively blocks Silver and Gold reliant strategies. And here you can even Upgrade them into like Inns and then buy more. If you don't pursue money at all and go PS--because you are afraid of Brigand--you'll probably just lose to the Hermit money guy, though.
Possibly some rock paper scissors thing happening, here.