There was little room for a weak fit aboard a very small boat, so a sailor who could not integrate with the team was quickly exposed. Crews learned one another's jobs because there were too few people for narrow specialization to cover every casualty or breakdown. That intimacy encouraged collective problem-solving between engineering talent and sailors skilled at obtaining equipment or better fuel. Carburetion, maintenance, hull cleanliness, and informal modifications could all improve speed and endurance beyond the trial figure. The crew was therefore part of the weapon system, and two nominally identical boats could deliver different operational performance.
Notable Point · 1:45:17-1:46:27
How small crews altered attack-boat performance
Tight-knit crews collectively tuned engines, fuel, and equipment, making operational speed and range diverge from trial figures.