aluminum vs. steel bp for caribbean trip

[Homunculus]

i was not sure where to post it, hopefully this forum is as good as ABC one for this matter.
we're going to Bonaire. I have a full set-up including a steel bp (~5 lbs) and steel STA (~7 lbs). i'm normally diving in 7mm wetsuit + hooded vest now and i take 6 lbs of weigth. i dive with hp100 steel tank which is almost neutrally buoyant when empty.
So my question - is it ok to take a steel bp without STA instead of getting an aluminum bp. i'd hate to buy another bp nad harness and weight pocket if i don't really have to. my thinking is i need less weight because of 3 mm wetsuit but more weight because of rental Al tanks. i don't want to be in a situation when i have no ditchable weight but i believe it's not going to be the case.
Any thoughts?
Thank you

 

[herman]

I would think the lighter steel should be fine. If I remember correctly an AL plate is around 3 lbs so the difference is only 2...maybe 3 lbs. You might not need any extra weight but who cares, non ditchable weight in the 3 or 4 lb range is nothing I would worry about and if you a couple of pounds over it's not that big of a deal.

 

[Hank49]

I use a 6 lb ss plate, 3mm full wetsuit, home made STA of about 1 lb I think. If I've been eating too much rice or pasta, I have to add a 2 lb weight on a belt, or, like right now, I can take off the STA to reduce wt. Most times I don't use any and although I have no ditchable weight, I'm neutral at 12-15 feet, empty bc, with a 1/4 full aluminum 80. I'm 6 foot, 182 lbs or so. Don't know if this helps you but....

 

[CUunderH2O]

I brought my steel BP and weighted STA to Bonaire this spring, though I dove with a thicker wetsuit. You'll be fine even if you have no ditchable weight. Is the weight in your STA removeable? Mine is, so I can still use it without the extra 4 lbs; it came with extra hardware for that purpose. Your biggest concern might be baggage overweight charges if you bring the STA as well.

 

[halocline]

I use a steel plate, 3mm suit, AL80 in the caribbean and 0-2 lbs in a pocket depending on the day. With the shorty I'm a little overweighted with no lead, but not bad enough to worry about.

Using the steel plate with an AL tank is really nice for trim. Forget about the ditchable weight IMO, but I'm sure there's going to be disagreement on that one.

 

[ZzzKing]

My guess is that you'll lose 8-10 lbs of buoyancy due to change of exposure protection and you'll gain about 3-4 of that back with cylinder change. You may be able to ditch the additional 6 lbs and be pretty close or you could eliminate the STA if your wing and plate configuration allow it and keep the ditchable weight.

 

[Homunculus]

thanks to everyone, it was very helpful to read your replies. i'm not planning to use my STA in Bonaire as it's rather a heavy piece (~7 lbs of steel). I'm convinced to take my SS bp with me.