Broken Dacor BC, any suggestions?

[TravisS.]

I recently purchased a used (10-15 yrs old) Dacor BC. Today I wore it in the water for the first time and immedianty upon inflation the buckle retainers broke away from the BC. It appears that their was a plastic loop sewn to the BC, the weak point was the threaded portion. Other than this the BC is in excellent condition, I would like to fix it if possible.

Has anyone else had this problem? Would it be safe to have a nylon loop/slide sewn in to serve the purpose of the plastic retainers?

 

[TXreefer]

How about a picture. It may help us troubleshoot.

 

[TravisS.]

The buckle


Where the buckle attached to the edge of the BC.

 

[rhwestfall]

Is there an intact web loop still attached o the BC?

 

[DevonDiver]

According to BP&W antagonists, plastic buckles and straps never break... so you must be imagining it

I had a Dacor BCD once (a 'Rig 3'). I swiftly learned it was a monumental mountain of guano, in virtually every respect.

 

[rhwestfall]

According to BP&W antagonists, plastic buckles and straps never break... so you must be imagining it

I had a Dacor BCD once (a 'Rig 3'). I swiftly learned it was a monumental mountain of guano, in virtually every respect.

and my Vista is still okay 23 years later.... I don't think he asked for an opinion on it, just if he could fix it....

 

[DevonDiver]

He asked if "anyone else had this problem". I didn't elaborate... but yes... I had a problem with my Dacor BCD falling apart.

The plastic backplate broke. Several straps became detached. Plastic QRs broke. The quick-release weight pouches started tearing through the slots for them and dangling. The LPI trickle-leaked. Stitching frayed in several other places.

 

[rhwestfall]

looking closer, if that is a pocket, you might be able to attach webbing on the surface (it won't be pretty). If that is the bladder, you are likely SOL as it is a membrane rather than a "bag-in-a-bag" style..... If I remember correctly, that is a velcro cummerbund. There isn't much load holding on that buckle because of that... you might get this to work

 

[ermaclob]

as long as the bladder is ok and still inflates, there should be no problem with putting a new buckle and straps.

 

[TravisS.]

Is there an intact web loop still attached o the BC?

Yes, inside the "jacket". I think I will try and sew a nylon web loop to the outside (without puncturing it) and see if that does the job.

Once these clips broke I had a bad feeling about this BCD, I guess it isn't quite as good as the seller made it out to be. If it will just get me though a few dives this summer it'll be worth the $50 I paid for it.