Back Inflate weights?

[DiveMaven]

I'm thinking about replacing my jacket style BC with a Zeagle Zena which is a back inflate model. My jacket style was not weight integrated, so I wore my weights evenly balanced on the sides of my belt. The Zena is weight integrated. My question is where do I put my weights for best balance on the Zena?? I've heard that it's best to put the bulk of your weight near the bladder on back inflates, and only a little up front. Considering I only use 10-12 pounds of weight, should I try to evenly divide the weight front and back? Thanks

 

[Grappelli]

The weights on the back are trim weights and cannot be dumped. Basically you want to put enough weight on the back to balance you in the water, but not so much that that you can't get positively boyant by dumping your weights. I'd suggest trying a couple of two pounders in the trim tabs to start with and see how it feels.

 

[herman]

My starting point is 60/40 with 40 in the rear and adjust from there. Don't get hung up on the dumpable vs undumpable. Unless you are overweighted it a mute point.

 

[D_O_H]

I agree with Herman. You don't want to put too much weight back there because it will make you feel like the BC is trying to flip you on your back. I'm usually comfortable with about 1/3 of my weight in back with a steel tank. I'd start with 1/3 and see how your trim looks. My girlfriend has a Zena and feels like it's trying to flip her with less - I think she uses roughly 20% in back.

I found it much easier to have good trim when I switched to the back inflate - hopefully you will too.

 

[DiveMaven]

Thanks everyone! Since I've never dove with a back inflate, it's helpful to know how how to approach the unditchable weight. If I buy the Zena, I think I'll start with 2-4 pounds as unditchable, and put the rest up front.