The most powerful melee weapon in D&D 5e is... The Rowboat

[Damon_Tor]

Is your objective to prove that the Saltmarsh rules as written are stupid and shouldn't be used? If so congratulations. I will continue not to buy it.

It does seem somewhat silly that being hit by a rowboat at 2mph is as lethal as being hit four times with a Warhammer. But those are the values listed.