Although I'm still erring towards the VII as the better boat, i'm starting to feel the love for the IXB.
I got my first ever (in 5 years of the game!) type IX kills yesterday, a small tanker and a large merchant sailing line astern about 150km NE or the Azores.
The weather was filthy with some seriously big sea and next to no visibility, but I managed to cross their bows and get a double hit (one each) within 5 seconds of one another courtesy of the dual stern tubes. The sea did the rest, which was rather spectacular to watch. I noticed the extra stability too, even at periscope depth in rough water. I think the stern tubes just got a whole lot more useful to me
Like yourself, I always try to get rid of my stern eels ASAP to make life easier later. Nothing worse than being caught with your pants down and having to present your ass to the enemy...
