An ounce of preparation prevents a pound of pain.The only thing ganking an explorer is high G
O7
You have a point, I am currently out in the Abyss testing my newly built Mandalay, and have nearly died only once.
Culprit: an inviting layout of canyons and my lust for velocity.
Associated issues: 5A dirty drag drives and Mandalay's excellent acceleration and handling characteristics. (Possibly related, family intervention at critical juncture.)
Saviour: 4A Prismatic and OE boosters also fitted, saving the day.
Conclusions:
My souped up thrusters and shields can be explained as "open ready" or "anti gank", and would indeed serve that purpose. More realistically they let me have fun planet side, and occasionally save me from myself.