BP/W new rig for kelp-diving

[Vicente]

So I have been in California a year now, doing a little kelp-diving but using my old tropical rig. I have several hundred dives in warm waters off Florida, a smaller number in quarries and this cold stuff. Think it's time to upgrade. Any advice on a new BP/W single-tank setup?

What I have been diving:
BCD: plastic BP, Hogarth harness, Halcyon 17-lb wing
Tank: Worthington steel HP-80 (-9/-3)
Thermal: Aqualung "Aquaflex" 7mm jumpsuit, 3mm hooded vest, gloves, booties.
weight: 3-lb zip-tied behind BP handle, 10-12-lbs on belt

This is actually working fairly well for me. Well at least so far the small wing has done well but I've only been to 50-feet out here, so maybe if I went on a deeper dive what with suit compression I wouldn't have enough lift. Thinking about:

DSS steel plate, 26-lb Torus wing, sound good?

One of my debates is about the weighting. I like the idea of adding more to the harness via those additional backplate weights. But perhaps not needed in my case. If I wanted to keep weight on my belt as now, I still feel like I'll probably need some trim weights higher up, what's the best way to add trim weights to a setup like this but keep it sleek? I was thinking a few pounds mounted directly to the backplate near the top would balance the weight belt, yet be out of the flow (unlike pouches on cam-strap) so be less drag.

Thoughts?

 

[renpirate]

Hi Vincente! Welcome to NorCal.

The setup you mentioned sounds good. A lot of people really like DSS gear and they have some nice trim plates. I know you will get a lot of positive comments on their gear.

Another option is the Freedom plate by Pacific Coast Marine. It is a great plate for single tank diving only. I dive mine with an Oxycheq SS #30. The plate is 5.5lbs and with 18lbs on my belt in my drysuit, I trim out pretty stable.

On another note, if you want to do some Kelp diving North of the Bay come out and join us for one of our dives.

 

[red_infinity]

The DSS plates are excellent, I use the single tank rig with the 30lb wing and I couldn't be happier.

I'm not sure about trim weights, I just have my weight on my weight belt...but they have weight plates, I hear great things about them.

-Francis

 

[Vicente]

I guess my 2 main questions buried up there are:

1) Is 26-lb wing enough lift? I see the 35-lb torus has a "fat butt" and a bit concerned about how that might mess with my trim. Not sure I need that much lift anyhow.
2) clever ideas for getting perfect trim weighting?

My previous setup is IMHO the BOMB when it comes to having enough lift (but no more) for tropical diving and good trim, yet sleek in the water and very light for air-travel. Now I am mainly concerned about achieving same goals (minus travel weight restriction) in a cold-water rig.

I actually prefer a slightly head-down trim, as it makes it easier to hover over a spot and get my eyes close enough to the nooks and crannies where all the little life-forms are hiding. I find this useful with camera or without.

Thanks for the input!

 

[renpirate]

#1 A 26lbs wing should be enough as long as you are diving with a wetsuit. However, I would argue that it is cutting it close in a dry suit, if you experience a flood. Since that is not the case for you, then it should be ok as long as you keep weighting to a minimum.

#2 Trial and error, as with any new setup.