In frigates there are many advantages to be bought, but maneuver is king.
Read the tutorial I posted. Then read it again.
Here is an article I wrote describing an error in judgement I made where I accepted a fight against a dramiel and stiletto from Public Enemy… while I was flying a merlin.
I killed the stiletto and I suspect I would have killed both had they not received reinforcements.
Maneuver, when coupled with a build that complements the fighting style, is king in the little boats. You can bag those expensive boats if you master your mechanics.