Fuel Efficiency and SOP...

[Jarhead0331]

Long time lurker, first time poster here...

Anyway, I seem to be having an issue with fuel efficiency. I've tried starting a career, but my first patrols seem to not go over too well. My biggest problem seems to be fuel. These cruises take me across the ocean and I find that I will not have enough fuel to make it back. Does your speed impact upon fuel consumption? If so, what is the most fuel efficient speed? I usually travel on the surface at standard, just because it seems right...What is standard operating procedure?

Also, when am I supposed to start running underwater? From a historic approach, at what point did sub commanders begin to spend more time below the surface than on it...is it a tactical consideration in terms of location, range of land-based aircraft, etc.? Or was there something in a FM somewhere that dictated this procedure?

To conserve fuel, I've tried running on electric, but those batteries wear down so fast and you never know when you're going to need them in an emergency!!!!

Thanks in advance...

Semper Fi