+1 OP you sum up my feelings pretty well too.

What infuriates me was that there are obvious ways to tweak and improve the exploration mechanic: simply adding more things like the (originally) elusive Maypoles was a start. But having say 12 special locations or treasures that could be found even if they gave the most trivial "advantage" or cosmetic effect would have kept us exploring what is after all a very pretty environment...

...Or how about a "Navigation" Skill caused by sailing and granting a mild speed buff to boat speed ..?

...Literally endless possibility's all so far passed over :(