getting a wing with a larger lift than needed?

[fobturbo]

Noob wing question here; what arguments are there against getting a wing with more lift than necessary (i.e. getting a 40# vs. a 30#)? If it's a donut style wing, would air being trapped still be a big issue?

TIA.

 

[StreetDoctor]

poor streamlining, possibilty of tacoing around your tank, harder to dump all of the air out of it and it just isn't necessary. What's your reasoning for wanting a larger than necessary wing?

 

[NeedABiggerBoat]

I've found that 30 lbs is good for any single tank, and 50 lbs for doubles. Thoose 80 or 90 lb wings I think are only suitable for tech divers with multiple stage bottles and heavy gear. That being said, I think it's wise to always strive for the most streamlined rig possible. I use a Dive Rite 50 lb Rec wing, and it suitable for singles or doubles, but I want to get a 30 lb wing for singles so I can tighten up my profile. As divers we carry so much stuff with us just to exist under water, why bring any more than you need?

 

[cool_hardware52]

Noob wing question here; what arguments are there against getting a wing with more lift than necessary (i.e. getting a 40# vs. a 30#)? If it's a donut style wing, would air being trapped still be a big issue?

TIA.

More lift than you need does not make you safer.

More wing capacity does create more drag, and will result in more tank wrap.

Tank wrap makes dumping more difficult, "donut" wings DO NOT magically make the wrong wing perform better.

A wing larger than required also results in greater dynamic instability. 10 lbs of gas in a 20 lbs wing can only move around so much. 10 lbs of gas in 40 lbs wing can move around a great deal more.

A back plate and wing can be a very good investment, don't defeat the advantages by buying a jumbo wing.

Tobin

 

[cmburch]

I got a 40lb OxyCheq Mach V Extreme because it was cheaper than the 30lb. Actual difference between the two is about 8lb. They are similar in profile. I do not think that there is a noticeable difference for my type of diving.

 

[greatlakeswreckdiver]

I would take cool_hardware52's advice. I talked with Tobin the other day as my wife did. After that he ordered up a complete rig from him. He knows his stuff.

Personally I dive a 30# wing and he calculated me to need a 26-30# and I truly feel my 30# is just right. Small enough to be streamlined but big enough to keep me well afloat on the surface even in rough seas.

 

[fobturbo]

Thanks for all the replies. All of the folks I've been talking to at various LDS say I'd be fine with a 30 lbs wing and don't need a 40 lbs. My current jacket BC has 26lbs of lift and has enough to keep my head just above the water. I would prefer to be a little higher and not swallow/snort so much water when resting at the surface.

 

[ivobj]

If you are diving singles, I would say go for the 30 lbs (of course, testing it first would be nice and wise), what I can tell from experience is that I used many configurations of single tank (ALs, big and small steel, with and without can light and steel with a pony) and 30 lbs was always enough.

 

[rstofer]

Thanks for all the replies. All of the folks I've been talking to at various LDS say I'd be fine with a 30 lbs wing and don't need a 40 lbs. My current jacket BC has 26lbs of lift and has enough to keep my head just above the water. I would prefer to be a little higher and not swallow/snort so much water when resting at the surface.

We're diving the same places (I'd be willing to bet!) so how are you weighted? Are you using a wetsuit or drysuit? I would expect a 26# BC to lift from close to your waist and get you pretty high out of the water. That you are just barely out of the water makes me curious.

I have a 7/8mm wetsuit, 20# of lead in a DUI Weight & Trim Classic harness, a DSS BP/W with a 6# SS plate and I use an HP100 tank. I can easily get my head out of the water with the LCD30 wing. The fun thing is to just float on my back. It's much more comfortable than my old jacket style BC for taking a nap.

I highly recommend the DSS BP/W.

Richard

 

[fobturbo]

Richard,

I'm diving with a CLX50/50 drysuit, x8-119 + 14lbs of lead + can light. I have 6 lbs as non ditchable, and 8 lbs as ditchable. I have tried diving with just 10 lbs total weight, but at the end of the dive I struggle to stay down if I'm ~20 FSW, even if I have no air in my drysuit.

As far as DSS goes, I'm definitely looking into Tobin's gear, as well as a few others.

We're diving the same places (I'd be willing to bet!) so how are you weighted? Are you using a wetsuit or drysuit? I would expect a 26# BC to lift from close to your waist and get you pretty high out of the water. That you are just barely out of the water makes me curious.

I have a 7/8mm wetsuit, 20# of lead in a DUI Weight & Trim Classic harness, a DSS BP/W with a 6# SS plate and I use an HP100 tank. I can easily get my head out of the water with the LCD30 wing. The fun thing is to just float on my back. It's much more comfortable than my old jacket style BC for taking a nap.

I highly recommend the DSS BP/W.

Richard