Doubles rig

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Ian Fatzinger

Contributor
Messages
174
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Location
Oahu, Hawaii
# of dives
200 - 499
Hello all!

I've been protesting the idea of getting a doubles rig for a while now, but I think I'm finally going to cave as most of my technical diving is going to be from a boat and my precious sidemount simply doesn't work as well. I've done a good amount of research as to what tanks, wing, etc, but I really have no conclusion. I'm based in Hawaii so my diving will be wet and salty. I am 5'7", 140lb so I need little to no weight to go down. Money isn't that much of a concern, but should still be somewhat considered. I also like customizing my rigs, so xDeep, Halcyon, maybe even Helium-dive are at the top of my list. Not sure whether or not to cave on a carbon fiber backplate for reduced weight since I'll probably need a heavy-ish v-weight to stay in trim as I'm quite head heavy to begin with. Finally, I'm not sure what tanks to get. AL80s are always an option and most of the steels seem simply too heavy to have a balanced rig. LP50s seem kinda interesting and I can always break them down into sidemount, but I'm afraid thats too little gas. Please enlighten me and help me find the best setup for my needs and stature! Also frequently use a DPV/large camera rig, so they might want to be factored into the equation (somehow?)

Thanks!
 
Freedom plate mate!

37 008a (2).JPG
 
Use an aluminium backplate IF you are heavy. Otherwise use a standard 3mm stainless backplate.

Basically try it and see. You can’t tell how heavy you are until you get in the water.

Personally I always use a stainless backplate in seawater with 3kg or 4kg including a tail weight.
 
Use an aluminium backplate IF you are heavy. Otherwise use a standard 3mm stainless backplate.

Basically try it and see. You can’t tell how heavy you are until you get in the water.

Personally I always use a stainless backplate in seawater with 3kg or 4kg including a tail weight.
Do you need more or less weight than a single tank setup?
 
I am 5'7", 140lb so I need little to no weight to go down.

Same height and a few lbs heavier than you at 66Kg and I use several sizes of twinsets.

I use the DiveRight Transpac XT with all of them including my AL50 twinset. The only additional weight I add is 4lbs tail weight to balance my trim.

My other twinsets are 10L Steel Fabers.
 
Do you need more or less weight than a single tank setup?
For a single tank in the sea (it's been a while!) I took with me my stainless backplate with the single tank adapter (STA) which had 4 pouches threaded into the cam bands, two top, two bottom. Was diving in a warm(ish) location in my drysuit and lightweight underclothes as I don't have a wetsuit. I first dived with 4kg/9lbs, then dropped to about 2kg/4.4lb. Did one dive with no extra weight but don't like being too light.

For cold sea water with a twinset, e.g. thick underclothes, it's the steel backplate plus 2kg/4.4lb tail weight and 2kg or 3kg/6.6lbs of 'V' weights between the bolts. If diving with stages the weight wouldn't change.

Cold fresh water would typically be 1kg/2.2lbs on a tail weight. Making the mistake of using the sea-water weighting is horribly overweighted, especially if diving with stages.

Clara Oct 2016 - 1200x900.jpg

Diving the Clara, 38m/125ft
 
For a single tank in the sea (it's been a while!) I took with me my stainless backplate with the single tank adapter (STA) which had 4 pouches threaded into the cam bands, two top, two bottom. Was diving in a warm(ish) location in my drysuit and lightweight underclothes as I don't have a wetsuit. I first dived with 4kg/9lbs, then dropped to about 2kg/4.4lb. Did one dive with no extra weight but don't like being too light.

For cold sea water with a twinset, e.g. thick underclothes, it's the steel backplate plus 2kg/4.4lb tail weight and 2kg or 3kg/6.6lbs of 'V' weights between the bolts. If diving with stages the weight wouldn't change.

Cold fresh water would typically be 1kg/2.2lbs on a tail weight. Making the mistake of using the sea-water weighting is horribly overweighted, especially if diving with stages.

View attachment 696935
Diving the Clara, 38m/125ft
Good to know. I don't need any extra weight with an aluminum backplate and 5mm in the ocean so a stainless would put me wayyy overweighted in a twinset, especially if I have to compensate with a v weight
 
Same height and a few lbs heavier than you at 66Kg and I use several sizes of twinsets.

I use the DiveRight Transpac XT with all of them including my AL50 twinset. The only additional weight I add is 4lbs tail weight to balance my trim.

My other twinsets are 10L Steel Fabers.
Being based in Hawaii and with shortages, I'm having a very difficult time sourcing good tanks. How much air is an AL50 twinset compared to others with similar size. Ideally looking for tanks that aren't super heavy for shore dives and hold a decent amount of gas. Would also like to be able to break them down for sidemount, but I might be asking too much of one set of tanks
 
Warm water, double 80's, 3mm suit either an aluminum plate with a soft 4-6lb V Weight pouch (usually closer to the bottom bolt) or 1-2x 2lb round weight between the tanks and the wing, or a Stainless plate with maybe a trim weight.

You can go CF if you'd like, but you probably will need to add a few lbs regardless...

Up to you!

_R
 
https://www.shearwater.com/products/teric/

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