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CHECK FIRST using your scanner & target information system to see if there's a market for the ware(s) <target> is carrying! If the wares are unsalable (currently eg (v4.00b2) Plasma Jets & Hailstorm) then a lot of profit is lost immediately. HOWEVER you can still sell the ship with its cargo to a convenient shipyard to recoup at least some of the cargo's value*
If you've boarded <target>, as always transfer a 5* engineer to it ASAP. Not only will this improve its speed as its engines are repaired, but it'll repair the hull & turrets too (quicker if you're OOZ). A fully repaired hull sells for a fair bit more than an immediate capture, & you can recall the engineer (& captain if you've given it one) before selling the ship if necessary
*Probably its average value as defined in the Encyclopaedia, but there may be a discount; I haven't checked)
Collector/Badass
Pick up tips from the above, then go ahead & do what you want; you won't listen to me anyway 
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