Optimum speed for Type II

Tolkemec · 09-12-06, 09:34 AM

Hello everybody,

I have noticed something unusual (for me, who don't know a thing about engines). Type II sub apparently uses more fuel at <5 and >5 knots. So the optimum speed is 5 knots. Do you know if this this normal?

I have just been transfered to Wilhelmshaven and asked to patrol BE39 AREA which is pretty far away... I will go for the English Channel, though Subgen tells me it is now closed due to high risk...

Thanks!

melnibonian · 09-12-06, 10:01 AM

Hello

It's been a long time since I've used a type II U-Boat so I'm not too sure on the specs. But the general rule (for me at least) is to go at ahead slow at all times. That way you conserve fuel and you can go quite a long way. Another thing you can do is to set the speed manually to whichever value you require.

As far as the channel is concerned I wouldn’t go through it. It’s full of mines (I’m playing GW) and destroyers.

I hope this makes sense and it’s helpful.

Grey Area · 09-12-06, 10:19 AM

I vaguely remember in my youth when I commanded a dugout

that cruising at ahead slow was the way forward due to the pitiful fuel capacity.

In my VIIB I always cruise at 1/3 which gives a good balance between fuel consumption, speed and range.

Gromit · 09-12-06, 10:25 AM

I also travel at 1/3. I find that I run out of torpedoes well before I run out of fuel. When I'm out of fish, I run flank speed back home.

Dantenoc · 09-12-06, 12:01 PM

In ALL subs it's the same thing: the slowest possible speed setting is NOT the most fuel efficient. I you're having trouble comprehending that, just remember your own car's cruising speed (the speed at which it is most fuel efficient) and you'll find that it occurs at about 90km/h... definetly not slow. Hammering the point even more, lets remember that cars give better milage per galon of fuel during highway driving versus the milage they get during city driving.

For a long time the gurus on this forum have pointed us toward 9knts as the most efficient speed for virtualy ALL subs. But I personally don't micro-manage that number too much... I just pres the "2" key on the keyboard and let the ship fall into it's own natural speed depending on the weather.

Myxale · 09-12-06, 03:36 PM

DAnte has a point guys! The Type II is a small boot and bound to run out of Oil anyway...so why not use most of it! :hmm:

P_Funk · 09-12-06, 04:46 PM

Hmm, very interesting. Seems to me like its time to call in the experts. Lets hear everyone's personal cruising speed for whatever reason be it fuel efficiency or whatever other reason you have. Break it dowm by type if you can.

GO!

Tolkemec · 09-15-06, 09:30 AM

Well, Thx all for your replies.... I finally got my own VII! And by the way, they gave me a long patrol for my Type II (BE39, I had to manage my fuel very carefully), and I had to go through the english channel (December 39). A lot of destroyers between Dover and Calais. I only saw one plane, and sunk a Cargo in the english channel, just for the english to know I was there. I arrived my patrol area and had to stay at 0 knots for 24 hours if I wanted to return. I finally came back to port thanks to the electric engines, which I used for 70 km approx without recharging afterwards...
I got a medal!

:-)

09-12-06, 09:34 AM	#1
Tolkemec Torpedoman Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: BCN Posts: 118 Downloads: 131 Uploads: 0	Optimum speed for Type II Hello everybody, I have noticed something unusual (for me, who don't know a thing about engines). Type II sub apparently uses more fuel at <5 and >5 knots. So the optimum speed is 5 knots. Do you know if this this normal? I have just been transfered to Wilhelmshaven and asked to patrol BE39 AREA which is pretty far away... I will go for the English Channel, though Subgen tells me it is now closed due to high risk... Thanks!

09-12-06, 03:36 PM	#6
Myxale Admiral Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: PQ AN 25 Posts: 2,178 Downloads: 70 Uploads: 0	DAnte has a point guys! The Type II is a small boot and bound to run out of Oil anyway...so why not use most of it! :hmm: __________________ SH3+GWX SH5+WoS Still Sailing....still Deep

09-12-06, 04:46 PM	#7
P_Funk Ocean Warrior Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Canada, eh? Posts: 2,537 Downloads: 129 Uploads: 0	Hmm, very interesting. Seems to me like its time to call in the experts. Lets hear everyone's personal cruising speed for whatever reason be it fuel efficiency or whatever other reason you have. Break it dowm by type if you can. GO! __________________

09-12-06, 10:01 AM	#2
melnibonian Ocean Warrior Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Reading UK Posts: 3,473 Downloads: 90 Uploads: 0	Hello It's been a long time since I've used a type II U-Boat so I'm not too sure on the specs. But the general rule (for me at least) is to go at ahead slow at all times. That way you conserve fuel and you can go quite a long way. Another thing you can do is to set the speed manually to whichever value you require. As far as the channel is concerned I wouldn’t go through it. It’s full of mines (I’m playing GW) and destroyers. I hope this makes sense and it’s helpful.

09-12-06, 10:19 AM	#3
Grey Area Watch Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 16 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I vaguely remember in my youth when I commanded a dugout that cruising at ahead slow was the way forward due to the pitiful fuel capacity. In my VIIB I always cruise at 1/3 which gives a good balance between fuel consumption, speed and range.

09-12-06, 10:25 AM	#4
Gromit Seaman Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 33 Downloads: 7 Uploads: 0	I also travel at 1/3. I find that I run out of torpedoes well before I run out of fuel. When I'm out of fish, I run flank speed back home.

09-12-06, 12:01 PM	#5
Dantenoc Captain Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Ensenada, B.C., Mexico Posts: 504 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	In ALL subs it's the same thing: the slowest possible speed setting is NOT the most fuel efficient. I you're having trouble comprehending that, just remember your own car's cruising speed (the speed at which it is most fuel efficient) and you'll find that it occurs at about 90km/h... definetly not slow. Hammering the point even more, lets remember that cars give better milage per galon of fuel during highway driving versus the milage they get during city driving. For a long time the gurus on this forum have pointed us toward 9knts as the most efficient speed for virtualy ALL subs. But I personally don't micro-manage that number too much... I just pres the "2" key on the keyboard and let the ship fall into it's own natural speed depending on the weather.

09-15-06, 09:30 AM	#8
Tolkemec Torpedoman Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: BCN Posts: 118 Downloads: 131 Uploads: 0	Well, Thx all for your replies.... I finally got my own VII! And by the way, they gave me a long patrol for my Type II (BE39, I had to manage my fuel very carefully), and I had to go through the english channel (December 39). A lot of destroyers between Dover and Calais. I only saw one plane, and sunk a Cargo in the english channel, just for the english to know I was there. I arrived my patrol area and had to stay at 0 knots for 24 hours if I wanted to return. I finally came back to port thanks to the electric engines, which I used for 70 km approx without recharging afterwards... I got a medal! :-)