Problem solved, mostly.
http://members.cox.net/phoenix-d/Slowdown.zip
This little mod for the demo slows ship turning, acceleration, and top speed by 4 times. It also gives you 4 times as long to do the missions. I couldn't change the components and repair rates to match, so this might play a little oddly..
To install, just extract the zip file to your Campains directory, start a new game, and select "Slowdown" instead of Backwater Blues.
[ September 29, 2003, 21:12: Message edited by: Phoenix-D ]