First I would like to say that I was a avid EV (Escape Velocity series) player in my time, loved that game... anywho, I wouldn't mind seeing the ability to not only disable a ship, but:

1.) have a chance to board
2.) take cargo/cash/ammo or strip the whole ship
3.) have a % chance on capturing the ship (perhaps repair, install a AI autobot into the ship and make it follow you to docks) in order to sell it or take as your own.
4.) be able to repair someone elses deralict ship

Having to sit and wait for someone to come and rescue you because you've just been disabled by some bastard pirate/bot/something, or having a pirate who is unable to board (for whatever reason) demand $$$ or they'll blow your ship up adds that little bit extra ;)

As it is now, you can only blow other ships up... that's all you can do to them (from what i've seen, no tracker-beams? Though you can play 'bumper cars' if you really want to). Just thought i'd add a suggestion, t's what this section is for right? ;P

- var

I think this is a nice idea too. Being able to actually loot someone if you disable them might be a nice alternative to having to hunt people endlessly just to kill them off. Furthermore, it would make repairfleets interesting, as they could repair derelicts. If someone is tired of waiting for a repair fleet, they could just /explode .... but it creates an interesting dynamic.

I also loved EV. and Stealing a Kestrel was my favorite part :)