I know the 3 minute (/ metric 3:15) rule, I know the length of target divided by time needed to cross the centerline of the periscope trick, so ... yes i know how to get the speed of a target.
Now here's my problem. Let's assume the target has a speed of 9 kts. Using some simple vector math you will find out, that, using a 46 kts torpedo, you will need a lead angle of about 11 degrees. Just point your periscope 11° towards the target, leave the PK off, make sure gyro is 0° and hit it. That should work, but here it doesn't.
Here's how
Rockin Robins explains it ( the last picture)
Now, my problem is, that i definately know that my target (Medium Old Split) is cruising at 9kts, I verified that many times with different methods. But the 11° angle doesn't work. I need to use the angle for 12kts (about 14°) to hit exactly where I aim. How can this be?
My own speed is 0, but that shouldn't be a factor anyway, distance to target is somewhere around 1200yds but again, that shouldn't be relevant and the AoB is near 90°, also no surprise there. What am I missing here?
//edit: and he's not getting faster after the launch, i checked that too. It's dark and he doesn't spot the fish.
//edit2: and just to put some weight on my claim, that his speed really is 9kts ... I marked him on the map, went 18nm ahead, and exactly 2 hours later he was at the correct spot, not much room for error in my 9kt observation.