Fuel Economy in a Bad Weather/Big Waves

[depthtok33l]

I am aware that the best speed for most boats (except S-class boats) is around 9 to 10.5 knots. However in rough seas I can see my boat struggling to maintain the speed I set it to and if I'm not mistaken this strains the engine, could I be wasting fuel?

So based on your experience good sirs, what is the best speed under bad weather conditions?

I just happen to always pass through the Luzon Strait where the water is not that friendly.

[TorpX]

In real-life, I think they held to standard speed or even slow when getting through storms. It wasn't a matter of straining the engines, but rather the extra power being wasted in smashing the bow against the waves.

Of course, if you have urgent business ahead, wasted fuel isn't really that important.

[Sniper297]

You're that concerned with fuel economy slowing to 1/3rd (slowest speed on the US telegraph, something like kleinenfahrt for Das Boot) will conserve fuel in rough weather. Question of priorities though, if you want to get where you're going before the war is over.

Frankly I quit worrying about fuel consumptions since I've Gone Asiatic;

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/downloads.php?do=file&id=4358

Especially in Luzon Straits where I can get more fuel and fish any time.

https://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc1/t1.0-9/1970517_707214969322786_919655070_n.jpg

[merc4ulfate]

Go deep and wait out the storm if it interferes with your fuel consumption too much.

I have read war patrol reports where getting below 150 feet was the only way to gain any ground on the storm and not be tossed around like a cork.

[Armistead]

The game really does a poor job at sub physics in a storm, although you will lose a knot or two in high waves, but it has little impact on fuel. If you play TMO he reworked it to where standard is around 15kts to get places faster. If you go 10kts you can probably travel around the world 3 times...Simply, fuel should never be an issue.

[CapnDon]

I don't know the answer when it comes to the game mechanics, other than to echo our shipmate above who says that TMO optimizes fuel economy at standard (~15 knots).

However, having some 30 years experience driving big ships at sea, here is what the real world says:

Most ships (not talking about nuclear ships) are most fuel efficient at something around 15 knots. Efficiency is defined as the longest distance made on the given amount of fuel. Going slower than that will not get you any further distance, indeed will give you less range. Going faster than that will result in less range.

In a storm, the deciding factor is how the ship is handling. If she shudders as she hits the waves, slow down. All that shuddering is wasted energy. When I was in North Pacific storms, I would generally aim about 30 degrees off straight into the waves and see how fast I could go, then adjust. Heading straight into the waves, big waves that is, was potentially damaging and was certainly uncomfortable.

Each ship class had a most economic speed, again, usually between 13 and 14 knots. However, the general practice was to design passage on 12 knots, understanding that sometimes one would be traveling faster than that...even faster than 15 knots. 12 knots average speed of advance usually netted the most fuel efficient passage.

[depthtok33l]

Thanks everyone.