If you're so close that turning your starship will sideswipe an adversary ship, you're too close.
And ever try to steer one of these tubs for real? What was it Ford Prefect said? They steer like a cow.
Successful ramming is bliss, don't you think? But there are elements of risk...
It's true that when ships get too close, the gameplay gets a little funky. A lot of tweaking there just to get it to the point it is. As far as realism goes....well, I just imagine Wrath of Khan and all those old sailing ship battle scenes in movies and it's cool.