B/P + Wing Weighting?

[espruell]

I am currently purchasing a B/P and Wing setup. I was just wondering what everyone thought about weighting when using this kind of setup. I'll be diving with a s/s backplate. Weightbelt, weight pockets, tank weights, extra weight on the plate? Just curious to what worked best for everyone.

 

[UFScubaDiver]

It seems not to many people on this board wear weight belts. A big factor in the bp/w is that you are gaining so much freedom in movement and alot of people think the weight belt is another annoyance. The XSscuba weight pouches get frequent recommendations, and if you get the DSS plate you can bolt extra weight right on to it. But this always brings up the debate of ditchable weight. Save that for another thread.

 

[cool_hardware52]

I am currently purchasing a B/P and Wing setup. I was just wondering what everyone thought about weighting when using this kind of setup. I'll be diving with a s/s backplate. Weightbelt, weight pockets, tank weights, extra weight on the plate? Just curious to what worked best for everyone.

There are three main approaches; Add non ditchable ballast to the plate via weighted STA or bolt on plates, add ballast to the rig via some sort of pocket, and add ballast to the diver via weight belt or weight harness.

IMO, having all your ballast on the, particularly in cold water, is not the best option. Spliting up the ballast between the diver and the rig is a better way. If you choose to have 100% of your ballast on you rig you may need a larger wing.

What are you currently using for tanks, BC and weight?


Tobin

 

[Jasonmh]

... If you choose to have 100% of your ballast on you rig you may need a larger wing.

Tobin

Hi Tobin,
I have heard you say this before, but I must confess I don't really understand what you mean. For the sake of an example, if I am diving with 10 pounds on a weight belt and my rig is 10 pounds negative, my wing has to be able to support that while I am diving. The wing has to be able to overcome all the negative weight while diving, does it not? In other words, if I am 19 pounds negative, it doesn't matter where the weights are, becuase no matter where they are the wing has to be able to overcome that -19 pounds? The difference I can think of is if you are RIB diving and need to remove your rig before boarding, but other than that, I don't understand a need to have a larger wing based on the where you carry your weight.
What am I missing?
Thanks,
Jason

 

[TimK]

I have a BP/wing setup and use the DUI Weight and Trim II harness. Very comfortable (I dive in cold water with a 9mm wetsuit) and usually have 26 pounds on it with my steel tank. Does not interfere with any of the BP/wing harness straps and you can ditch some of the weight by opening the velcro'd pockets and throwing weights out or you can ditch all of the weight by pulling two ripchord handles. Solved one of my MAJOR issues with carrying weights by getting rid of the belt.

 

[cool_hardware52]

It seems not to many people on this board wear weight belts. A big factor in the bp/w is that you are gaining so much freedom in movement and alot of people think the weight belt is another annoyance. The XSscuba weight pouches get frequent recommendations, and if you get the DSS plate you can bolt extra weight right on to it. But this always brings up the debate of ditchable weight. Save that for another thread.

UFS,

It really depends on where you dive. In warm water often just the plate is all you need.

Here in SoCal, with moderate to cold water people routinely use weight belts with BP&W.


Tobin

 

[cool_hardware52]

Hi Tobin,
I have heard you say this before, but I must confess I don't really understand what you mean. For the sake of an example, if I am diving with 10 pounds on a weight belt and my rig is 10 pounds negative, my wing has to be able to support that while I am diving. The wing has to be able to overcome all the negative weight while diving, does it not? In other words, if I am 19 pounds negative, it doesn't matter where the weights are, becuase no matter where they are the wing has to be able to overcome that -19 pounds? The difference I can think of is if you are RIB diving and need to remove your rig before boarding, but other than that, I don't understand a need to have a larger wing based on the where you carry your weight.
What am I missing?
Thanks,
Jason

Jason,

A wing has to meet two criteria; float your rig at the surface without you in it, and compensate for the change in buoyancy of your exposure suit.

Lets say in cold water with a 7 mil suit you need a total of 30 lb of ballast, say a wetsuit buoyancy of 26 lbs, and ~ 1/2 the weight of gas in a 100 cuft cylinder (4 lbs) That's total, i.e. negative buoyancy of your rig (plate steel tank, regs , can light etc.) + what ever else you carry in weight pouches bolt on plates, whatever.

If you have all this ballast on your rig you need at an absolute minimum a 30 lbs wing, 35 might be a better idea.

Now if you have say 6-8 lbs in a weight belt, your rig will weigh only 22-24 lbs without you in it. That means you can float it with a 26 lbs wing, or maybe a 30.

The 26 is enough to offset the compression of your wetsuit. So you can now use a slightly smaller wing than if you choose to put all your weight on the rig.


Tobin

 

[RICHinNC]

I went with pouches on the belt for several reasons. I can push them back to the max and it squared my trim away.

Dont like belts because, I am cuddly and have no hips....dang thing always falls off. Just something else to have to pack. Cant adjust weight position as well.

And I really dont like harnesses because of the fowling factor I always encountered.

But that is all just me.