In reply to the OP's original question, there is a single-player mod that recreates much of the original Privateer experience: Warzog's Privateer: the Reckoning. It's available in a few locations, but I've seen it recently on Wing Commander CIC, here. (edit: I forgot to mention that there are a few CTD bugs, the reputation system is too simple, and getting equipment as a battle 'drop' is rather easy. It's fun, but not finished...)
