michaelb51
Guest
If you are actually foot heavy, I think that extending your legs to the maximum length should make you even more foot heavy. If you are actually head heavy (and foot light,) the same action will likely put you head down.
I don't think type of BC enters the equation, except anecdotally. The trimming process is the same, regardless of BC style.
I personally recommend using the least possible weight or flotation to solve the problem, and that argues against putting trim weight close to your CG, even though that could work. I'd seek out feet flotation if possible. Best solution to this problem for me has been floatier booties. You might try slipping on neoprene socks or putting extra neoprene sole pads in yours, or look for a thicker pair. The downside to this approach is that compression with depth could skew the trim effects of most booties.
Although I am generally in warm or tropical water, I use the thickest boots I can find. If I stick one inside my XL Jetfin and release it, the result is completely neutral (in fresh water.) I too cannot abide being footheavy. So step one IMO should be to cancel the negative of the fin using slight lift at the same moment arm (er, foot.) A light wetsuit like that with the average leg in it is close to neutral already, in my experience. In my case, cancelling the weight of the fin had the desired effect.
If I still had a tendency to trim head-up I would try very small wrist weights. Only if that was unworkable or inadequate would I use weight nearer the CG for trim. In this case of course, below and forward of the center of lift would be the preferred location, and the further forward of the CL, the less weight would be required.
My reasoning for preferring wrist or ankle trim is simple...moving either wrists or ankles then results in small changes in the static trim position. The ability to make small corrections is something I see as an advantage. It is true your mind will gleefully correct the body without informing you, so it pays to be conscious of this while working out your trim. Also, realize that as you rotate about your lateral axis (head up or down) the moment arm of the weight or flotation changes too.
Next time in the water if you have time and range to play with trim, take a couple of .5 or 1lb bags and hold them in your hands. Relax completely but move your arms fore and aft until you have the trim stable at your desired attitude. If the weights are forward of your chest at that point, you probably aren't "head heavy."
I don't think type of BC enters the equation, except anecdotally. The trimming process is the same, regardless of BC style.
I personally recommend using the least possible weight or flotation to solve the problem, and that argues against putting trim weight close to your CG, even though that could work. I'd seek out feet flotation if possible. Best solution to this problem for me has been floatier booties. You might try slipping on neoprene socks or putting extra neoprene sole pads in yours, or look for a thicker pair. The downside to this approach is that compression with depth could skew the trim effects of most booties.
Although I am generally in warm or tropical water, I use the thickest boots I can find. If I stick one inside my XL Jetfin and release it, the result is completely neutral (in fresh water.) I too cannot abide being footheavy. So step one IMO should be to cancel the negative of the fin using slight lift at the same moment arm (er, foot.) A light wetsuit like that with the average leg in it is close to neutral already, in my experience. In my case, cancelling the weight of the fin had the desired effect.
If I still had a tendency to trim head-up I would try very small wrist weights. Only if that was unworkable or inadequate would I use weight nearer the CG for trim. In this case of course, below and forward of the center of lift would be the preferred location, and the further forward of the CL, the less weight would be required.
My reasoning for preferring wrist or ankle trim is simple...moving either wrists or ankles then results in small changes in the static trim position. The ability to make small corrections is something I see as an advantage. It is true your mind will gleefully correct the body without informing you, so it pays to be conscious of this while working out your trim. Also, realize that as you rotate about your lateral axis (head up or down) the moment arm of the weight or flotation changes too.
Next time in the water if you have time and range to play with trim, take a couple of .5 or 1lb bags and hold them in your hands. Relax completely but move your arms fore and aft until you have the trim stable at your desired attitude. If the weights are forward of your chest at that point, you probably aren't "head heavy."
