I just give myself points for getting to my patrol area, and since I have done that it GWX, when I am ready for a new sub, generally I have the points to fit it out. Right now my main guy is at 2000 and change, and after the move the france, will be buying a IX, and he should have enough points to buy one and fit it out.
Of course, it is kinda funny that everyone thinks that since a new boat came out, that there players should be the first users, even if many commanders where using VIIs deep in the war till they where put on the bottom.
(Of course, the main point is to have fun, and by god, when the XXI comes out, I am going to get a pimped out one...)
To edit you some renown, make sure your guy is in port, ready to go out, and go to the save folder, and there is a DeltaRenown in one of the config files, and give you the points you want.