How much lift?

[James-S]

Hi everyone,

I know I'm not a regular contributor on here but if someone with experience of the subject could give me some information then that would be appreciated

At the moment I'm using twin independent 12s on a Buddy Commando, as I started off with a single 12 on that BCD, and it was easy to upgrade to twins by staying with the commando. However, I now want to move onto a backplate/wing set-up. I think I've decided on an OMS dual bladdered wing, as I've only heard good things about the quality of OMS, it's red for better visibility, it's dual bladdered so I can use it for deeper diving in a wetsuit, and it has retraction bands so I can use it with any tank configuration, rather than spending another £500 on a smaller twin wing and a singles wing. However, I haven't decided on which size I should get. Should I go for the 60 or 90 lb version? I know that I would never actually need 60 lbs in a wing to keep me afloat, no matter how many stages I had, or flooded suit etc, but I would have thought that the extra 30 lbs of lift would lift you higher out of the water on the surface, which would be nice in rough seas. So really, my question is, is there any good reason why I should get the 60 lbs version instead of the 90 lbs version? I realise that the 90 lbs version would be virtually unusable if unbungied, whereas the 60 lb version would be OK with twin 15s +, but I have no plans to do that, so not really a consideration for me. Would the 90 lbs version have a larger profile in the water even with the bungies, and so would wrap around a single tank? If not, then I'm really struggling for reasons not to get the larger version...

Thanks for any replies

 

[cool_hardware52]

Should I go for the 60 or 90 lb version?

If you study *why* divers use BC's the answer will reveal itself.

Tobin

 

[James-S]

To compensate for the negative buoyancy caused by their gas at the start of the dive? If that's what you mean, then I realise that, but, as I said, the extra lift when on the surface in rough seas surely can't be a bad thing?

 

[=C=]

Halcyon 60lb system here diving two 12's and an AL80 stage dry. I cant say I have ever wanted for buoyancy.

For singles diving get a singles rig. I'd rather spend the time diving instead of rebuilding a rig.

...and if scubaboard is right a bungied wing is a death sentence j/k

 

[cool_hardware52]

To compensate for the negative buoyancy caused by their gas at the start of the dive?

That's part of it.

If that's what you mean, then I realise that, but, as I said, the extra lift when on the surface in rough seas surely can't be a bad thing?

Remember any portion of any BC that's above the surface provides no lift.

Comfort at the surface is much more a function of proper weighting than wing capacity.

A bigger wing is not the right solution to being over weighted.

Tobin

 

[fjpatrum]

what exactly are you trying to lift out of the water with a 90 lb wing? The only thing you need out of the water is your face, assuming you're out of gas at the surface. Otherwise, you're not really gaining anything by being "higher out of the water", which is arguably inaccurate anyway.

The "ultimate lift calculator" thread in a sticky on this subforum is great for determining your true lift needs. Why not just use that for your calculations and plan accordingly?

 

[James-S]

Thanks everyone for the advice - I think I've made my decision

 

[knowone]

Difficult to surpass Pommy satire.