If you use a weight harness + BP/W: fit question

[Matt S.]

I use a DUI weight harness and a singles BP/W. (cold water, drysuit, lots of lead) If you do something similar, how do you adjust the fit of the weight harness relative to the backplate harness that goes over it?

I have the weight at my hips, putting the weight harness belt at my waist. I keep the backplate harness scooched up above it, almost to my belly button. That means that my weight pockets sit right below the pouch and can light on my BP belt. They are stacked, actually.

It's getting the job done but it sems like there must be a better way to arrange both these items. I know the rig could could be less wobbly.

Any ideas? Or photos of similarly equipped divers?

Thanks!

 

[jeckyll]

I use the DUI Weight & Trim II with both my singles and doubles setup.

The Weight harness I place directly below the waist strap of the BP/W.

I'm 6'1" and this seems to work out fairly well, though I'm going to switch some weight to sit in the channel to bring it up a bit (currently I need to keep a bit extra air in my lower legs to be in perfect trim).

My question: What happens when you try to remain completely still in the water in trim position? Do you tip forward? Backwards?

Given where you are (Kirkland) I know there are a fair number of BP/W users in your area who are also on this board and would probably be willing to dive with you to see what they think balance wise.

HTH.

Bjorn

 

[Matt S.]

I tend to be feet-heavy so I'm still trying to get trim optimized. Next dive I'm adding more weight to the channel myself, for one.

Sounds like I am in the ballpark, thanks.

 

[mikerault]

I usually put the waist belt for the bp/w above the weight pouches on the DUI harness. I adjust the harness so it rides low.

Works for me...

Mike

 

[jeckyll]

I tend to be feet-heavy so I'm still trying to get trim optimized. Next dive I'm adding more weight to the channel myself, for one.

Sounds like I am in the ballpark, thanks.

What fins and what tank are you using? Drysuit or wet?

 

[mikerault]

Drysuit and the Mares Avanti Quattros here. Initially I had floaty feet and used gators, but on the last couple of dives it hasn't been a problem and I have left the gators in the dive bag.

Mike

 

[jeckyll]

Mike: I was actually asking the OP

 

[Matt S.]

What fins and what tank are you using? Drysuit or wet?

(For some reason I didn't get email telling me about your reply.)

Fins: XL Turtles
Tank: Steel 100 (Faber FX100, about -0.6 to -8.5)
Suit: 4mm compressed neoprene drysuit, with big feet (hence the Turtles)

It's hard to be sure, but it doesn't seem like the Turtles are pulling my feet down so much as my upper body wants to rise up. Adding weight to my STA channel recently has helped a lot, so maybe I just need a little more weight up top.

My rig might also sit too low on my back, I just found some reference on proper bp/w fit so I'm going to check that out now. A few inches could make a big diference. (Hmm, that sounded dirty.)