Ottomans are a complete riot to play on water maps. Capture some barb galleys, build a half dozen galleasses, go into Renaissance via Astronomy, oxford Navigation. The fast frigate timing push is absurd, you will have caravels capping ships left and right and due to the UA you can afford a huge navy. It's a lot of fun.
I random as well on Immortal for casual play, Deity when feeling masochistic.