I've read the entire thread today, amazing how much information you have all shared here, thank you all and especially Dave.
Some pages ago you all discussed about the possibility of submarines not having a sail, and that there were even some projects in this direction.
While the hydrodynamics would undoubtedly be increased, I think we should not forget that a sub (even a big one) has a low profile, and consequently it does not ride the waves very well. Therefore in my opinion it would be very hard to operate a sub on the surface in rough weather without a tower.
A modern sub theoretically does not need to sail on the surface, but this possibility cannot be completely ruled out, can it ?
Speaking of which, I wonder what subs did in ww2 in extremely rough weather. Of course, staying submerged saves a lot and avoids the complete mess of not being able to eat something without sticking the fork in your eyes, but they needed to recharge the batteries. How are the storms in the pacific compared to the ones in the Atlantic ?
Dave, could you tell us a little about the procedures aboard a diesel sub in stormy weather ? Do you adopt the maximum possible buoyancy ? Trimming the boat must be a hell of a task.
I can only imagine that in a serious storm you would be completely swept off the bridge (das boot comes to my mind, even though I cannot say how realistic that scene was created) and the boat would just either completely submerge in a big wave, or jump out of the water between the waves.
did I say something dumb ?