As to English-built versus French-built ships, I view the differences too varied so that I decided not to form such a generic opinion. I consider the ships "equal" taken together while knowing those differences need be considered in the context of any vessel's purpose. This is also in the context that the two navies did not have exactly over-lapping concepts for their fleets.
Then, as you mentioned, there are the crews and officers leading to variations in fighting ability of a ship in action as well as the maintenance and care of a ship and its effect on a ship's sailing.
This leaves aside specific ship-to-ship comparisons where things like armament and dry rot come into play.
Thus, a British captain may well desire to have a specific French vessel over a specific British-built one. - R