Interesting effects of the snorkel

HerrWilkus · 05-11-14, 04:25 PM

Perhaps it is just me, but it appears there are some interesting beneficial affects to running on the surface with the snorkel up.

A) In rough water (high winds) your diesels are constantly getting drowned out and shutting off, reducing your average speed significantly. With a snorkel extended this does not occur. Not sure how well the earlier (VII/IX) snorkels would hold up to operating on the surface in rough seas, probably a mild exploit.

B) Diving. It appears that if you dive with the snorkel extended, your diesels are allowed to 'push' your sub deeper underwater before switching over to electrics. I imagine this is pretty clearly an exploit, as I'm pretty sure most of the retro-fit snorkels would have snapped like a twig if subjected to a crashdive at 15 knots or so, though it seems the XXI snorkel is quite a bit more robust....

Still, without snorkel extended, the U-boat 'hangs' under the surface at 10m depth for a short period while the diesels are shifted over to the electrical motors. This is dangerous during an air attack. Very little downward 'momentum' at this point.

If a crash dive is attempted with the snort up, the diesels remain on for several critical seconds longer, with the resulting downward momentum pushing the boat to a depth of 30m or so, deep enough to escape bomb damage, or get you well on your way to the depths in case of a destroyer attack run.

Anyone else notice this?

05-11-14, 04:25 PM	#1
HerrWilkus Swabbie Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 9 Downloads: 30 Uploads: 0	Interesting effects of the snorkel Perhaps it is just me, but it appears there are some interesting beneficial affects to running on the surface with the snorkel up. A) In rough water (high winds) your diesels are constantly getting drowned out and shutting off, reducing your average speed significantly. With a snorkel extended this does not occur. Not sure how well the earlier (VII/IX) snorkels would hold up to operating on the surface in rough seas, probably a mild exploit. B) Diving. It appears that if you dive with the snorkel extended, your diesels are allowed to 'push' your sub deeper underwater before switching over to electrics. I imagine this is pretty clearly an exploit, as I'm pretty sure most of the retro-fit snorkels would have snapped like a twig if subjected to a crashdive at 15 knots or so, though it seems the XXI snorkel is quite a bit more robust.... Still, without snorkel extended, the U-boat 'hangs' under the surface at 10m depth for a short period while the diesels are shifted over to the electrical motors. This is dangerous during an air attack. Very little downward 'momentum' at this point. If a crash dive is attempted with the snort up, the diesels remain on for several critical seconds longer, with the resulting downward momentum pushing the boat to a depth of 30m or so, deep enough to escape bomb damage, or get you well on your way to the depths in case of a destroyer attack run. Anyone else notice this?