
What does seem clear is that he became a merchant trader in Leith, before his skills as a sea captain saw him emerge as a brave admiral who commanded two fighting ships named the Flower and the Yellow Carvel. It is reported that he fought and captured 5 English ships close to Dunbar, in response to which a larger English attack followed. This also ended in victory for Wood despite his being outnumbered. Wood was known well to both James III and James IV and was knighted by one of them (again conflicting reports exist) . At some point he was granted land in Largo. He married Elizabeth Lundie, with whom he had several sons.
Later in life, having overseen her construction and equipment at Newhaven, Sir Andrew became the first Captain of the Great Michael. Launched in 1511, the Michael was the largest ship of her time, of whom it was said that "all the woods of Fife" were used to build her.
The date of Wood's death is also uncertain but current thinking is that he died sometime before the end of 1517. He is buried under the floor of Upper Largo Kirk. An inscription marks the spot and a there is also a window in his memory.