I have a suggestion to at least "balance" sector overload:
Could the overload be determined on the number of ships of the same team instead of the total? Getting 20 ships out to defend against hidden SBs just work too well. With team based overload, bombing with 40 sbs would make them take damages and die but launching 25 figs to defend against 8 sbs wouldn't hurt the 8 sbs.
I think that the overload isn't a bad idea. I'd prefer a patch that makes the server handle more people, but a 60 vs 60 battle would be unplayable and it force people to strike at different areas. With more experience with the overload, I think it could be a solution to a lag problem(At least untill something better is found).
