[THEBERBSTER]

Randy
Glad to hear you have your game up and running.

I take my new type boat out on a "test cruise" or is the test cruise only done once at the beginning of every new career?

You are correct when you say you only do it once in a new career, however you will also do it when you upgrade your boat.
If you select Flotilla 2 as your transfer then you should find a VIIB available.
You do not need to do the Eprobungstelle mission. Just for instance a couple of hundred meters and dock your boat again and transfer will complete the test mission.
As long as you see this you can dock.

Alternatively, can I simply start the game with the LSH starter and then use Commander for subsequent career game starts? Right now I am using Commander to get a real name Kaleun for a new career in August 39.

I have found the shortcuts problematic, you would better to go to the Commander folder in the game folder and select the application to run as an administrator and then send the application to the taskbar. You will then have a very quick way to open SH3C.
Wishing you a Happy Christmas if I do not hear from you before.
Peter