[vois2]

I skipped the academy and went straight to a starting career. I was given 500 tonnage to start, which is probably like the stock game (I can't really remember.) Like you, I haven't played in many months.

I took a good hour tonight to get out of port so that I could play with all the new functionality.

I'm sure I will learn all about the following as I continue to investigate threads, but for now, here is what I have noticed:
1) I used to be able to configure my crew into their departments before embark, and everyone would stay put where I placed them when setting sail. Now, people are moved around the instant you set sail, so you have to watch for that, and reset things the way you want them.
2) It looks like crew ranking configurations have changed from stock for the VIIB. 5 officer, 16 petty, and 25 sailor. I think that is new.
3) Definitely the number of playable slots in the engine rooms has changed. I have more to learn about that, even though upon setting sail it placed 3 guys into formerly-existing slots which made them appear 'dead' and X'ed out right away. They weren't actually dead though, I could move them elsewhere to bring their spirits back.
4) Relative rudder control has been replaced by a chronometer of unknown functionality (as of yet). More reading required.
5) Overall, panel graphic enhancements are just superb. The 3d environment looked poor to what I remember, but I may just need to tweak my drivers to clear it up.

I read your comments about 88mm deck gun. After I had played Real U-Boat for many months, like many others I had pretty much stopped using the deck gun for anything at all. So this doesn't dissuade me from using the GW mod for now.