I would gladly play on a map with water.
Remind me, why aren't there any water-based templates available right now?
And here's why people don't play them:
1. It takes longer - more game days are needed for a single game.
2. There are only three heroes with navigation skills, plus if you don't have a Gem or a Guild of Magic, you won't be able to summon boats. Navigation on water is better than logistics on land.
3. Navigation artifacts, if not banned, are incredibly powerful.