Weight for BP vs BCD: Is there a typical % drop?

[Fastmarc]

Is there a way to work out before hand how much weight, if any, you would require or shed when you make the switch to BP?
For instance I currently use 8lbs with my jacket BC (Sherwood AVID), 2lbs in each ditchable pouch 2lbs each in the back trim pockets. I'm a lean person and think my trim is good.
My BC is very comfortable and only considering switching because I finally saw someone with a BP and can't stop thinking how nice and streamline he looked. So much less cluttered which will be useful since I've ordered my pony setup.

 

[tbone1004]

if you go to a stainless steel backplate, you can likely remove all of your weight from that bc. The ss backplates with harness are usually around 6lbs negative, and the standard bc's are usually a couple of pounds positive

 

[Storker]

A stainless steel backplate is supposed to be 6#. Only minimum weight zealots would fuss about a 2#/1kg difference unless you're already carrying the bare minimum.

That said, if you only carry 8# on your belt, I'd consider getting an Al plate instead of a stainless. I'm a sucker for having some ditchable weight...

 

[g1138]

I don't have to "drop" weight when swapping between stock BC's and backplates. Think of it more like you're shifting your total negative worn weight so some of it is unditchable.
So for you OP, if you go with an 2lb Al plate, you'll probably want to start with 6lbs of lead weight.
You'll still be diving with 8lbs of negative ballast; 2lbs of which composes your Bp.

I think there's a myth about being able to drop weight because newer divers swapping to backplates are usually overweighted to begin with.

 

[caruso]

I think there's a myth about being able to drop weight because newer divers swapping to backplates are usually overweighted to begin with.

if you go to a stainless steel backplate, you can likely remove all of your weight from that bc

So who is right?

 

[Satrekker]

or go DSS kydex backplate (AL should work also) knowing you can go without weight diving steel 100's or maybe only 2#'s or so with AL 80's. It also makes a great travel rig.

 

[tbone1004]

@caruso @g1138 and I said the same thing. Assuming that your weighting is "right" you don't actually "drop" weight, you shift it. So in your case, assuming 8lbs is the real number, you "move" 6lbs from the pouches/pockets to the backplate, and then if your bc is inherently floaty, the 2lbs usually goes away.

What he was saying, and that I agree with is that I dive with the same amount of total negative ballast regardless of what rig I'm wearing, it's just where that ballast is.

 

[caruso]

@caruso @g1138 and I said the same thing. Assuming that your weighting is "right" you don't actually "drop" weight, you shift it.

Oh I guess I misunderstood, when you said you can "remove all of your weight from that BC" I thought you meant he could remove the 8 lbs he was presently diving with and not use it anymore- but what you are really saying is that he should continue to use the 8 lbs if he's not overweighted, and shift it somewhere else.

 

[Fastmarc]

Thanks for the input.

I think the 8lbs should be pretty close, but I've never tried taking out any more because I was pleased with my trim with two 2lbs in the trim pockets and 2 each in the ditchable. It was the same in my previous BCD. At a 1000 psi I can comfortably hover just below the surface. I'm 5' 8.5" at about 155 - 160 lbs, so like I said, pretty lean, so it possible I could shed some more.

My avitar pic was with the old BCD.

 

[Fastmarc]

I'm traveling in October and was going to treat myself to a new watch, but I suspect I'll come home with BP with wings... SMH.

Damn, this slope is slippery...