UBER-Realism Thread

[siber]

Hi Everyone.

I've been looking though old threads, and notice congregations of kaleuns discussing and comparing notes on tactics, harbour raids, convoy attacks, boat types etc, but as far as I can see there isn't yet one single thread dealing with uber-realism. So, can I start one here?

I'd like to hear from other kaleuns that play with high realism settings, and mods to provide a more realistic, challenging and immersive simulation as opposed to an action game. Not that there's anything wrong with playing with auto-targetting and drooling at the beautiful graphics etc, but I'm actively targetting high-realism players.

For example:
I play GWX2.1 at 100% realism - an no external camera! - with OLC's GUI and environment to give taller waves (and less visibility). I always exit the game and restart upon returning to port, letting SH3Commander randomly transfer crewmen etc. I'll head for my assigned patrol grid, remaining there for 24hrs, before heading on a search pattern nearby if targets are not found. In order to try to achieve a realistic tonnage per patrol, I take no notice of single ships presented on the map, presuming that the majority of these would not be reported IRL. Convoys reported via the map I will pursue.

Unless using the stern torpedo tube, the minimum number of fish fired per target is 2, unless the shot is determined to have only a 'long-shot' chance of success. External reloads are only used with the boat at a complete stop with windspeed lower than 5m/s. All targets sighted are engaged unless they're a fishing boat or smaller, or a destroyer/corvette. Only battleships, cruisers and aircraft carriers are valid targets amongst enemy naval forces.

So, my question to other uber-realistic (or wannabe uber-realistic) players is this:
How do you ensure your gameplay is as accurate as possible? Which mods do you use? Do you have any advice about how I can better simulate real life experiences within the confines of SH3 as a computer game?

Also, I was wondering about GWX Enhanced Damage Effects... Can someone tell me whether this will cause stricken ships to sink faster due to explosions & fires etc? I can't say for sure, but I think that with EDEs enabled, ships seem to blow themselves to pieces long before they would otherwise flood and sink without EDEs. Comments anyone?

All feedback and responses gratefully received!

p.s. I doubt very much I'll ever have time to play without any time compression to simulate the boredom. I take that as read... and really can't be bothered to try it myself...