BP/W decision-question

[wader]

I have a SS BP, Hog harness with an Oxycheq 40lb wing. I am dove in a pool with it, no added weight and a 3 mil steamer. I felt slightly heavy, maybe a pound or two at the most. We are going to Fiji in March and I have some questions about my set-up, having never dove OW in a BP/W.
Since Fiji is obviously salt water, I may have to add a couple of pounds.

Would it be wiser for me to purchase an alum. bp and add some ditchable weights when diving? The advantage would be less weight for luggage (AL vs. SS and weights will be at destination), having weights that can be ditched in an emergency vs. the fact that I really like my buoyancy control I achieved in the pool.
I know the 40 lb wing is overkill for this trip, but it is the only one I have so I will have to live with it. It is the extreme model so it is heavier than a standard wing adding to my luggage overall weight.

What are your thoughts? Am I just making an issue from nothing?

 

[DevonDiver]

If you have the money, you could get an ali plate, otherwise just pack your bags more judiciously.

40lb wing might not be optimal, but it is adequate. I dove a 40lb wing for many years, simply because it is what I had. No proble,.

I added to trim weight pockets to my upper cam band. This provided the (small) extra weight I needed with an ali backplate...and also helped my trim.

 

[wader]

I think I can swing the AL plate. Getting another wing right now is out though. Please check these numbers:
If I dove with the AL plate, I would need to add about 4 more pounds to compensate, then maybe another 2 or so for salt water?
Would it be wise to add all that on the trim pockets, or put some on a weight belt? If so, how much between the two?

 

[Dave616]

I'm in the same boat you are. I ended up with an aluminum plate based on packing weight, and I'll be bringing a weight belt with pockets and two small trim pockets just in case.
I'll try to get my trim right in the pool before leaving. I ended up with the 40lb. Extreme wing because I wasn't 100% positive on how much lift I needed and the 40lb. is only .5" wider and .75" longer than the 30lb. (IIRC) from everything I read. Most of my diving is in cold freshwater.

I wouldn't waste my money on high-end ditchable weight pockets.

As far as the weight belt, it's easy to ditch, but doubt you will have to. I just ordered the XS Scuba 4 Pocket belt. It's cheap insurance, and I know I'll need weight with an Aluminum Back Plate and an AL80.

 

[Wayne at DiveSeekers]

A good rule of thumb is to add 4 to 6 pounds when going from Fresh water to Salt. The cheapest way to go is to just add Trim Weight pockets to your cam bands.

Halcyon Trim Weight Pockets, The SCUBA Connection 888-SCUBA-47 12.320.005 *Buy Halcyon at DIVESEEKERS.com 888-SCUBA-47

Plus to this: Keeps a clean harness and don't have to deal with an uncomfortable (i know that there is not much weight on it, but still) weight belt. As far as ditch-able weight (whole other discussion), you can always swim up an Alum80 if you had to.

 

[wader]

So for the sake of argument, if I went from SS to Al, I would subtract about 4-5 lbs. Then fresh water to salt another 5 pounds.

Is adding 10 pounds in cam band weights comfortable and safe or is that too much? I have no idea, never done it obviously. Am I just worried over nothing? Fiji is a big deal for us, so I want to be as best prepared as I can be.

 

[Teamcasa]

I use a Apeks Harness sans the plate for air travel dive destinations but this would also do nicely.
https://www.deepseasupply.com/index.php?product=5

 

[Dave616]

So for the sake of argument, if I went from SS to Al, I would subtract about 4-5 lbs. Then fresh water to salt another 5 pounds.

Keep in mind, Aluminum plates go from about 1.7lbs. to 2.3lbs. and steel go from about 5lbs. to 7lbs. I would average an AL plate at abut 2lbs.

With a 40lb. wing you can afford to be slightly over weighted.

 

[Bubbletrubble]

@wader: Your profile indicates that you are a very experienced diver ("I'm a Fish!" status). Treat your Fiji trip like any other diving trip. Spend some time before your first dive doing a proper weight check and then distribute the weight in a way that promotes good trim. Even if you have 10 lbs. of weight to position on your rig, you may find that making a significant percentage of that weight ditchable (in pockets on the waist strap) will throw off your trim.

For warm water trips, I use an AL BP (to minimize weight of checked luggage) and the same wing that I use in cold water (30 lb. lift). With a 3mm wetsuit, I only need 6 lbs. which is placed in camband weight pockets (3 lbs. on the top camband and 3 lbs. on the bottom). I'd rather have no ditchable weight than crappy trim. YMMV.

Have fun on your trip...

With a 40lb. wing you can afford to be slightly over weighted.

That's an interesting comment.

 

[Dave616]

That's an interesting comment.

I didn't mean over weighted to be total negative buoyancy, only that he can afford to have some variation in weight.
Personally, I can dive a 24lb. wing with anywhere from 10-16lbs wearing my 7mm wetsuit.
With an AL80, I add about 4lbs. over my steel 100 just to be safe.

I should have been more clear, I apologize.