I drive a type VII most of the time.
Every once in a while I try a type IX, because it looks better (both from the outside and from the conning tower), has better range, carries more torpedoes and has a better deck gun. I don't mind the slower maneuverability, especially as the IX feels more stable than a type VII on the surface. Being a bigger target is somewhat annoying though, and gets me killed more often.
The huge load of torpedoes and further away patrol zones make for tediously long patrols, however. Finishing patrols gives me a sense of accomplishment and allows me to manage my crew, consider upgrades, transfers, and so on.
The type VII offers, for me, the best combination of firepower, survivability and patrol length. I can attack a convoy twice and have a few torpedoes remaining for ships I see on my way to the convoy and back. If I don't manage to find a convoy, I can attack lone merchants and get back home in a reasonable patrol time.
And if I want to, I can patrol around Gibraltar and the North African coast and resupply at one of the many supply ships. I prefer a two part patrol, visiting a supply ship in between, over the single long patrol of a larger boat.
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