How bouyant is Oceanic Chute 3??

[gqllc]

I tried on an Oceanic Chute 3 and liked it. The spine pad with lumbar support seemed HUGE!! The one on the probe is much smaller but I like back inflation. Basically in Salt water I was wondering how bouyant the BC was by itself and have any of you removed the spine pad and dove without it? Seems like it would be no different than a plastic hardpak. Thanks Steve

 

[ScottyK]

Steve- I don't think it's any more buoyant than the other high end, back inflate choices out there. It has the back pad, but is less busy everywhere else.

I'm 6' 220 LBS and dive a 7mil with hood, boots and gloves. I only need about 18LBS of lead with my Chute, and I probably have a couple more pounds than I need to. I keep a few extra in there so I don't need to re-weight between boat and shore diving.

Other than being a bit bulky for travel (again, most of the other B.I. BC's are also) It's a great BC. I logged over 500 dives on my CII before buying my III.

Scott