How long is too long?

[Crannogman]

I've had a thing for Guadalcanal ever since 'Hellcats over the Pacific,' so I've spent my current patrol in those waters, starting with Savo Island. I've been out now about 2 months, and I'd prefer to stick around through mid November (left Pearl Jul 15 '42). Other than 39% hull damage from some silly mistakes, it seems I can get all the torpedoes, fuel, and crew fatigue resets from Tulagi. Is there any real reason to limit my patrol to under 4 months? 2 weeks of shore leave was a lot more enticing when it was in Hawai'i, not so much Midway.

[razark]

You won't get any upgrades or be offered a new boat unless you return to base.

[Pigboatcook]

Originally Posted by Crannogman

I've had a thing for Guadalcanal ever since 'Hellcats over the Pacific,' so I've spent my current patrol in those waters, starting with Savo Island. I've been out now about 2 months, and I'd prefer to stick around through mid November (left Pearl Jul 15 '42). Other than 39% hull damage from some silly mistakes, it seems I can get all the torpedoes, fuel, and crew fatigue resets from Tulagi. Is there any real reason to limit my patrol to under 4 months? 2 weeks of shore leave was a lot more enticing when it was in Hawai'i, not so much Midway.

I'm sure my Pop bought some engine room beer off your Chief of the Boat. Corporal, 2nd Marine Raiders(Carlson's) which deployed to Guadalcanal after Makin and made the 'Long March'. He and some buds dealt with whoever docked. He said it was hot beer, which he acquired a taste for when he returned home. God bless them all. Enjoy your time on that isle and tell Pops to get the heck home.

[TorpX]

Originally Posted by Crannogman

Is there any real reason to limit my patrol to under 4 months? 2 weeks of shore leave was a lot more enticing when it was in Hawai'i, not so much Midway.

Gawd!

Patrols in RL were seldom much more than 2 months. Of course, the game is incredibly generous; you can go crazy, if you want. I'm glad I'm not in your crew.

[Crannogman]

Originally Posted by TorpX

Gawd!

Patrols in RL were seldom much more than 2 months. Of course, the game is incredibly generous; you can go crazy, if you want. I'm glad I'm not in your crew.

Ha! Yeah, the endurance I saw listed for a Gato was 75 days. I figure daily shore leave in Tulagi would buffer crew morale. Or maybe they're flying in a relief crew monthly

[TorpX]

Originally Posted by Crannogman

Is there any real reason to limit my patrol to under 4 months?

Oh, one little thing.....

The game loads the campaign files in chunks of 6 months *I think*. So, if you stay out too long, you will eventually find yourself in an empty sea.

[Crannogman]

Originally Posted by TorpX

Oh, one little thing.....

The game loads the campaign files in chunks of 6 months *I think*. So, if you stay out too long, you will eventually find yourself in an empty sea.

Now that is compelling

[Spraug]

Call me chicken, but 39% hull damage is a reason to head home for me. Without your repairs, you never know when your next dive will lead you right to Davy Jones' Locker.

[Crannogman]

For whatever reason, the Tokyo Express doesn't get very excited about chasing subs. I fired almost 30 torps at a run of 5 destroyers (sinking them all eventually), and not one ever turned my way. I suspect it will be different when the Hiei and Kinugasa turn up, but so far I haven't gone below 70 feet

[merc4ulfate]

The longer you stay out the greater the chance of corrupt saves with all that info ... just saying.

[Crannogman]

I discovered yesterday that, at 43% damage, my Gato can't go below 250ft and come back up. Which makes evading suspicious escorts all the more fun. So, rtb is coming soon I think.

[Armistead]

if 42, lot of big action coming up in Nov, like almost non stop night. Careful, be some Us BB TF in the area, large convoy. Did us miss the battle of Santa Cruz earlier.... I always port in Brisbane, not end up with less Sub, but u can get home and get back to the action if a few weeks and plan for big battles...you can even see some PT boats attacking...

don't worry, we've all done it,.

[Crannogman]

Originally Posted by Armistead

if 42, lot of big action coming up in Nov, like almost non stop night. Careful, be some Us BB TF in the area, large convoy. Did us miss the battle of Santa Cruz earlier.... I always port in Brisbane, not end up with less Sub, but u can get home and get back to the action if a few weeks and plan for big battles...you can even see some PT boats attacking...

don't worry, we've all done it,.

I just fought in the battle of Cape Esperance and am in the middle of interdicting the battleship bombardment of Henderson Field. I did see some PT's come roaring down - I'm not sure how to give them torpedoes, so they just got slaughtered.
My homeport is Pearl, and I think the turnaround would keep me out of action until the campaign is winding down; I can refit at Tulagi or Espiritu Santo. For the time being, I'm mostly limiting myself to long-range nighttime surfaced attacks with large torpedo spreads.