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Graf Paper · 04-12-08, 01:16 PM

For clear weather and relatively calm seas, 5km-6km is about right during daytime and 3km-4km for night.

Factors that alter this, aside from weather and sea state:

U-boat speed. The faster you're going, the greater your wake and more easily noticed you become.
The experience ranking of the crew aboard the enemy ship. Elite (1943-45) crews are eagle-eyed, Veteran (1941-43) can spot you most of the time, and Rookie (1939-1940) crews might miss you even at close range.
Angle of approach. Ships lookouts have a harder time spotting you when you're approaching from their stern quarters.
U-boat silhouette. Running broadside to a ship presents a larger silhouette that can be spotted more easily. Going at a ship with your bow toward it or having your stern facing the ship when moving away gives the smallest possible silhouette. This also applies when avoiding ASDIC while you're submerged.
U-boat Type. The bigger your boat, the easier it is to spot, obviously.

Hope this info has been helpful in extending your survivability in the war.

04-12-08, 01:16 PM	#5
Graf Paper Ace of the Deep Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Pacific Northwest United States Posts: 1,146 Downloads: 41 Uploads: 2	For clear weather and relatively calm seas, 5km-6km is about right during daytime and 3km-4km for night. Factors that alter this, aside from weather and sea state: U-boat speed. The faster you're going, the greater your wake and more easily noticed you become. The experience ranking of the crew aboard the enemy ship. Elite (1943-45) crews are eagle-eyed, Veteran (1941-43) can spot you most of the time, and Rookie (1939-1940) crews might miss you even at close range. Angle of approach. Ships lookouts have a harder time spotting you when you're approaching from their stern quarters. U-boat silhouette. Running broadside to a ship presents a larger silhouette that can be spotted more easily. Going at a ship with your bow toward it or having your stern facing the ship when moving away gives the smallest possible silhouette. This also applies when avoiding ASDIC while you're submerged. U-boat Type. The bigger your boat, the easier it is to spot, obviously. Hope this info has been helpful in extending your survivability in the war. __________________ Still sailing the high seas, hunting convoys with those who join me.