ATTN: Fleet Boat Historians

[DS]

I've working on a "Worn Boat" mod, and have a few questions for those in the know:

1. Roughly how often were fleet boats put into dry dock for an overhall and a hull scraping?

2. Gato's and Balao's were rated for about 21 knots maximum speed. I assume that this was for a boat with fresh engines and a clean hull. What was a more realistic maximum speed for a boat with a year or two of service in the Pacific theatre and a fouled hull?

3. I believe that the top sides above the waterline were repainted each time before patrols, but can anyone confirm this?

4. Did the wooden decking need to be replaced regularly, or was this only done as need or as part of an overhaul?

5. Was there other performance characteristics (that are modeled in SH4) that would be suffering degradation from constant sea duty prior to an overhaul?

Any information on the above would be great.

[Peto]

I've working on a "Worn Boat" mod, and have a few questions for those in the know:

1. Roughly how often were fleet boats put into dry dock for an overhall and a hull scraping?

2. Gato's and Balao's were rated for about 21 knots maximum speed. I assume that this was for a boat with fresh engines and a clean hull. What was a more realistic maximum speed for a boat with a year or two of service in the Pacific theatre and a fouled hull?

3. I believe that the top sides above the waterline were repainted each time before patrols, but can anyone confirm this?

4. Did the wooden decking need to be replaced regularly, or was this only done as need or as part of an overhaul?

5. Was there other performance characteristics (that are modeled in SH4) that would be suffering degradation from constant sea duty prior to an overhaul?

Any information on the above would be great.

1. Fleet Boats were typically given a complete refit after 5 patrols. Short Dry-docks weren't unusual though and done as needed between each patrol.

2. I believe the average was about 19 knots.

3. yes they were. Except very early war when time and material wasn't available.

4. Not sure. Probably as needed or during major refit though.

5. Battery Life: Batteries would get worn out and not be able to hold as much of a charge as new ones. However--it isn't modelled in the game.

Hope this helps.

[AVGWarhawk]

The wooden deck was teak. Very dense wood. If it was not damaged by enemy fire it could and would last the entire war. The Torsk still has some of her original teak decking. She was launched in 1945 so that will give you an idea of how durable the wood is.

Peto is pretty much on the money with the rest of it. Dry dock if it was really necessary. They needed the boats out there sinking ships. For the most part, refit was for new electronic devices. The refit was usually overseen by the capt so to keep it moving along. They really wanted to get back out there. These guys were full of piss and vinegar. Sitting in dry dock was no way to conduct a war. The Fairbanks Morse diesel were great motors. With exception of blowing a valve, headgasket or piston ring, they were pretty much capable to go a long way without a overhaul. Power was always there.

[ekempey]

3. I believe that the top sides above the waterline were repainted each time before patrols, but can anyone confirm this?

It didn't happen after every patrol, but as far as I know it happened every few patrols, I think in "Clear The Bridge," Tang didn't get repainted at all after her Sea Trials, save touch ups.

[AVGWarhawk]

Here is a good pic:

http://www.ussicefish.com/Pages/Photos/boathome.jpg

Note the pitted paint on the bow. The salt water was rough on these boats. Certainly a pristine paint job did not last long. I imagine touch up as ekempy said. Of course there was complete paint when the found camo/grayish color worked better than the all black paint.

[tigone]

AVGWarhawk wrote:

> (http://www.ussicefish.com/Pages/Photos/boathome.jpg) The salt water was rough on these boats. Certainly
> a pristine paint job did not last long.

It's a good bet that on any major marine paint job, streaking/pitting or rusting starts to show on the first area painted before the last brush strokes are done on the other end. Even Titanic had some minor streaking/staining on her maiden voyage.

[DS]

OK,

Thanks for the replies guys. I'll let you know how this comes out. :up: