The trainer wasn't working for me and I really wanted to skip dancing (or at least automate it as this trainer does) so here is how to really make it work with the steam version of the game on windows 10:

Just as a word of warning: I didn't make this trainer or host it so do your due-diligence like using any third party software. I scanned it with Bitdefender anti-virus software after downloading it, installing it and I scanned the game and trainer again after using it.

1) Download "Phalzyr's SMP Trainer Version 3.20"
2) Extract it anywhere
3) Run the Trainer as admin
4) Launch the game
5) Start new game or load a game. Alt+Tab and make sure the Trainer's "Personal Status" tab has info filled in (with the amount of crew, gold and food you have).
***If not, change "SMP Version" to BigPond/Trymedia". YES, EVEN IF YOU'RE USING THE PAID, STEAM VERSION***
6) If step 5 doesn't work (and you closed/re-opened both) Trainer->"SMP Version" -> "Set Offset" and follow the instructions.
Close / reopen both the trainer and the game again.
7) Changing the "Gold" field and clicking lock should change your gold immediately. This is how you can test it worked.

1) Download "Phalzyr's SMP Trainer Version 3.20". (I got mine from "lonebullet" here: https://www.lonebullet.com/tools/download-sid-meiers-pirates-phtrainer-v320-free-295.htm)

2) Extract the folder anywhere (I put the CONTENTS of the folder in the same folder as the "Pirates!.exe" so that "PHTrainer.exe" is in the same folder as "Pirates!.exe". e.g. D:\SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\Sid Meier's Pirates!)

3) Right-click the "PHTrainer.exe" -> Properties -> Compatibility tab -> tick "Run this program as an administrator" (I DON'T use compatibility modes e.g. vista, 7, XP etc.)

4) Run the trainer (PHTrainer.exe). If it doesn't launch the game, then you might want to follow step N below. Start the game (If this guide doesn't work try starting after the game instead).

5) Start new game or load a game. Alt+Tab and make sure the Trainer's "Personal Status" tab has info filled in (with the amount of crew, gold and food you have). If not, change "SMP Version" to BigPond/Trymedia" (Yes! even though this is the steam version!!! If this doesn't work for you, you can also try the steam version but "BigPond/Trymedia" is what finally worked for me).

6) If "Personal Status" tab still doesn't fill with the currently loaded/started game's info (with the amount of crew, gold and food you have), then click "SMP Version" -> "Reset Offset" or click "SMP Version" -> "Set Offset" and follow the instructions to find the gold's Hex and set it like that.

Close both the trainer and the game and then once again launch the trainer then the game again whenever you change version with "SMP Version" or "Reset/Set Offset".

7) to ensure it worked, try change your gold to a random number in the trainer's "Personal Status" tab and click "Lock". The game should update the gold number IMMEDIATELY when you alt+tab back into the game. Even if the game is paused. You should also be hearing sounds from clicking the "Lock" and "Unlock" button next to the "Gold" field.


N) OPTIONAL (to launch the game automatically after launching the trainer): Find your "Steam.dll" in your steam folder (where your steam.exe is) and put it in the same folder as your "Pirates!.exe".

Please rate this guide if it helps.

I didn't find these instructions easily and didn't know how to easily check if it was working or not like in step 7 so I thought I'd write this guide.
I now use the trainer to skip dancing by going into the trainer's "Options" tab and ticking "Auto Dance" and "Always Graceful" and just let the dancing play by itself ... It was just so repetitive, difficult, long and had terrible feedback on whether you timed it too fast or slow to get the perfect timing (twirl move).

Now, enjoy this great game as you like playing it!