Dive Rite Voyager as First Wing

[lexvil]

I use the 35 voyager, great wing and I use an STA as it makes life easier, easier to change tanks and more stability, I’m 6’5” and 225lb and dive dry, totally different rig for travel to warm water. For your size you could easily do a 30lb wing.

Explain where you were diving that a SS plate and no additional weight had you negative.

 

[RIHappyDiver]

A 35 lb wing is to big for single tank diving, I recommend you get a 30 lb wing. I don't like the Dive Rite wings because you need a single tank adapter with them and instead of a gusset in the middle, there are just 2 straps.
I would look at the Dive Gear Express single tank package.

DGX Custom - DGX Gears Singles Harness / Backplate / Wing Package

A basic DGX backplate/wing/harness package for single tank diving at a value price.

www.divegearexpress.com

^^^^^This^^^^^
I have this setup with a steel back plate, which I use here in NE, and travel with to Bonaire. Given your size, the aluminum plate will be a good choice, as it is a couple of pounds lighter. Unless, of course, you did your AOW in one of the local ponds. If that’s the case, and you’re going to be doing local ocean diving, and not really much pond, go steel.
Also, it fits your “good balance between lift, cost and weight “.

Erik

 

[felixcurtiss]

I did do my AOW in a fresh water lake, but I was also definitely negatively buoyant with my BCD empty (still very easily sunk with a full breath, I am pretty lean). As for diving lakes vs ocean, probably going to do a mix since that's what I have locally, but I figure I can add a few pounds of lead if I need it for salt water with thicker undergarments. Aluminium just seems nice for the slightly easier travel and not being forced to be overweighted in fresh water.

 

[lexvil]

You can get light stainless and take advantage of it being more negative as opposed to the less effective aluminum. The difference in buoyancy between salt vs fresh is a big factor.