I've never run out of fuel. Longest patrol distance so far was Hawaii to East China Sea. Topped off at Midway on the way there and ran 2/3 when weather permitted and 1/3 when it was rough but was not forced under. When winds get above 8 m/sec I drop to pariscope depth and run at 2 knots until batt is low (to keep crew from getting hi fatigue rates) then surface run at 1/3 (which provides minimum batt charge time.) Once I got to ECS and dropped off the agent, I shot up some cargo ships and got an extended mission to continue down into the Philippine Sea. I was still able to make it back to Midway with a small amount of fuel to spare, topped off and full speed ahead back to Midway.
Although time compression gets you into the action faster, the trade off is you zoof through storms on the surface at high speed thereby reducing both your miliage and your crew efficiency for keeping your engines in top condition. You also risk damaging your sub in a storm causing increased fuel rates and reduced submerged depth.
Even if the 10 or 11 knots 2/3 speed isn't giving you the range you need after taking great care, further reduction in speed to 1/3 will increase your range even further. Run at that speed for a day or two until you are sure you can make it back at 2/3, then go ahead and increase your speed. You can even return home at 1 knot if you have to. It might take 4 months to get home, but you will arrive with plenty of fuel to spare.
In short, there is no "magic" speed. You are always trading off the mission distance, what you are willing to expend chasing targets, ALWAYS keeping an eye on the return distance and breaking off (no matter your personal tonnage target or mission occomplished) to return home. I'm convinced keeping all this in mind, there is nowhere you can't go in the Pacific from any port and be able to make it back home. At worst, your tonnage might be low on the longer missions. You might even fail to accomplish the mission (which has never happened to me) but there is no reason you cannot get to mission and return home if you manage your resources, keep and eye on the fuel level, and above all, remember it's a game of patience not of speed.
-Pv-
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