[Captain Nemo]

Originally Posted by Graf Paper

Type VIIB stock configuration best speed for maximum range is 7 kts.

Type VIIB upgraded with GWK turbo diesels best speed for maximum range is 8 kts.

You also need to be aware that dashing off at Ahead Full or Ahead Flank to catch a convoy or task force that shows up two or three grids away will seriously eat your fuel reserves. It's usually just not worth the trouble to do that. Save your fuel for intercepting targets close to your course or in your patrol zone.

Thanks for posting your observations. Whilst I would agree that cruising at around 8 knots is very fuel efficient in a VIIB and I do this myself, I'm not sure I totally agree with your tactic of letting convoys get away if their two or three grids away. If you think about it you could in theory use up most, if not all, of your torpedoes on a convoy over two or three separate engagements therefore you would not need as much fuel to cruise around as you would be heading for home afterwards (as long as you don't fall foul of Allied destroyers that is!). Of course, a sensible decision needs to be made at the time you are alerted of a convoy. If you are low on fuel and you will need to go ahead flank for a long distance then it would be wise to think about whether or not it would be wise to chase a convoy, but if you have plenty of fuel sloshing around then I think you should try to engage the enemy in the hope of sinking plenty of tonnage. The downside of course is that you could use up a big chunk of fuel and miss the convoy, but you have to take the rough with the smooth in this deadly game of cat and mouse.

Nemo