Could The Central Powers of won World War I?

[Adler17]

Gallienus, the use of Q Ships was in no way very successful. They sank IIRC 8 Uboats. But more were lost to Uboats. However it only lead to the tragic consequence that the ships were now torpedoed without any warning. Before mostly the ships were stopped and sunk according to the prize rules. Now it lead to a sinking at once the Uboat was in position.
In the end it was not successful.

Adler

 

[Gallienus]

Don't forget that although the British admiralty didn't plan it, Germany's more aggressive approach to submarine warfare was what alienated American public opinion and led to their entry in what they had initially regarded as yet another pointless European war.

I know that the Americans were unable to send a large force until 1918, but Britain, France and Germany were exhausted in 1917. The French mutiny a few weeks later might well have forced an end to the war if it had not been for the psychological impact of knowing that America had entered the war.