most economical speed
 

I barely made it back to Midway without running out of fuel. Has anyone calculated what the most economical speed is in the stock game?
When I got to Midway, I was asked if I wanted to end the patrol, home base was Pearl Harbor. Is there a penalty for ending the patrol at Midway?
Before I got to Midway, I was trying to send a message that I was low on fuel. Is there anything that can be done if you run out of fuel?
thanks!
Joe S

You run out of fuel, You're dead in the water. In the game anyway. There is no way in game to get refueled without going into a marked port.
The most economical speed is around 9 or 10 knots depending on the sub. If you're running stock, you need to experiment. TMO has a feature that gives you the range at your current speed.

Stock game is usually Standard, isn't it? When I'm outbound to destination from Pearl, I stop at Midway and top off the tank. On the way back, I do the same thing.

from Aanker
I went looking for it, but can't find the information. You make a small edit in one of the files, then Shift-G will respond with how far you can go at your current speed. (It also takes in to account if you are charging batteries)

There is also a quick edit to get current weather. (CTRL-W)

I have found 2/3 is most economical, small difference between 2/3 and 10 Knots.

I think you'll find out your absolute highest range is 9.5 knots. It used to be that Ducimus set ahead 2/3 for best fuel economy, but he abandoned that for some reason.

Hit the button below your engine telegraph and click between 9 and 10 knots. Works in any mod.:salute:

If you are willing to try the S3D Tool, and do some text editing to other files, here is how Ducimus figured out how to sail at more realistic speeds than 10 knots:

Following Ducimus, Using S3D I edited my GATO sim's to 15.19 knots @ 14138.4 nm.... His values - It was his idea after all.

Using those numbers, that's 15+/- knots Standard Speed and around 12,000 - 14,000 nm distance depending on conditions.

Also text edited the CFG's to:

AllStop=0.00
AheadSlow=0.25
AheadOneThird=0.50
AheadStandard=0.75
AheadFull=0.90
AheadFlank=1.00

For me satisfaction, finally, distances and speeds closer to reality; what I've been reading in the Patrol Reports! No more putting around the Pacific at 10 knots. Furthermore, by editing the Special Abilities UPC to:

[SpecialAbility ]
ID=Ability-Propulsion-Specialist
NameDisplayable=Ability-Propulsion-Specialist-Name
Description=Ability-Propulsion-Specialist-Description
AbilityType=BatteryConsume; FuelConsume <-- comment out FuelConsume
AbilityValue= -41; -5
AbylityActsIn= PropulsionRoom
SkillRequiredLeadership= 0
SkillRequiredMechanical= 0.7
SkillRequiredElectrics= 0.7
SkillRequiredGuns= 0
SkillRequiredWatchman= 0

- and placing a Propulsion Specialist ability crewman (edit him in) to the PropulsionRoom, submerged distances upwards of 95 nm at 2 knots are easy. Ducimus initially suggested -45 value, but IMO that gave more distance than what these fleet boats could manage in reality - unless there are figures that show they could do 105 - 110 nm submerged... Recharge times are from 4+ hours at all stop to 9 hours at standard speed (14 - 15+ knots) which is what the patrol reports read.

I did away with the speed boost the Engines-Expert - Propulsion Specialist gives as well as the fuel boost. Those shouldn't be available.

[SpecialAbility ]
ID=Ability-Engines-Expert
NameDisplayable=Ability-Engines-Expert-Name
Description=Ability-Engines-Expert-Description
AbilityType= DiveSpeed; SurfaceSpeed, SubmergedSpeed <-- comment out

I read somewhere that boats couldn't go out on patrol unless they could dive in less than a minute.
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Edit:
Although the above edit to the Gato *.sim file was used for the example, the BALAO, GAR, TAMBOR, SALMON, & SARGO *.sim's need to be edited too, to get the surface ranges at the more realistic speeds.

Same with the other edits; the CFG's for each boat class, as well as the Special Ability crewmen, the Propulsion-Specialist & Engines-Expert.

Yes, it is some work to do these edits, but it is well worth the effort to learn a little about Text editing and trying out the S3D tool when you're cruising at 15 +/- knots Standard Speed from Pearl/Midway to the Empire waters without worrying about fuel. I think Ducimus may have uploaded his *.sim's here (??) at one time, (maybe it was at the Kickinbak forum) but I haven't had a chance to see if they really are here or if they include his edits.
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I'll find the edits needed to give the answer to the question, "How far can I sail at this current speed"

I found it! From another post by AANKER (as always, thanks!)
Remember, don't use word, use a NOTEPAD.
And, as AANKER says, Copy the original file first!

This (range) is a big help in the game.

Thanks Mikesn9 : )

Happy Hunting!

Thanks everyone , for your help with this!
Very informative, as usual.

Joe S