Well I am happy to report after installing the GFO mod and playing 80% realism (Map Contacts and External view enabled) I had a pretty "standard" first patrol in my Sargo USS Seawolf out of Manilla.
3 Ships sunk for 16k tons, about 50% faulty torps and a LOT of misses (I missed an unbelievable sitter!). Also, one of my torps decided to do a circular run. Luckily it was a desperate shot fired "down the throat" at an onrushing Destroyer so I did an emergency dive.
Pretty funny seeing both sub and destroyer hastily do all they can to avoid the murderous torp!
While pretty "dissapointed" at the faulty torps and misses, this felt far more satisfying than my previous 70k breezes. Now at least if I even get close I will have felt like I earnt it!