Yeah, thanks Obi, that's what I have discovered by taking the WoS file and comparing it with my modlist with still the iron crosses an tonnage bar active. My modlist (see other recent thread) is almost ready for download and optionally a player can play with - or without - tonnage bar mechanic.
By using Veko's file, there is no more trace of any tonnage bar, very good, because it only confuses players used to play without. Problem is that still I cannot explain the differences in the 2 playing modes, but I don't think they are game relevant if you go on sinking ships...
Thank you!
XS