I also generally run with a slightly smaller than max size crew, so that I don't have extra guys that don't fit in the crew's resting quarters when off duty - having those extra guys just complicates crew management too much. I find I've been able to do this in the only boats I've tried so far (VIIB, IXB, VIIC - can't remember how it worked in the Type II I used very early on) while still staying within the limits of the historical crew sizes - my current VIIC has 45 guys (5/13/27), and according to u-boat.net the normal complement for this type ranged from 44-52 men.
However, now that it's getting late in the war I may start carrying some extra guys to beef up my repair crews and give me some spare replacements for guys killed topside in air attacks:hmm:
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