Is 26 lbs of lift enough?

[Dyin-To-Dive]

I am going to purchase a new back inflate bc any day now and I want to stay streamlined. I just looked at an Oceanic Islander 2 and wonder if it will be adequate for my diving.

It looks like an amazing, lite, streamlined bc, but only has 26 lbs. of lift. I run singles and wear a 5mm full wetsuit. I am diving fresh water for the majority of my dives with 6 lbs of weight. I use a single, 80 aluminum tank.

When I dive in the ocean, I wear a 3mm full wetsuit. I use 6 lbs of weight and use a single, 80 aluminum tank.

I think this will be plenty of lift, but I just want a professional's opinion

 

[GrumpyOldGuy]

Yes, its more than enough. Most divers don't need more than that, even with a 7mm suit and 20+ lbs of lead.

 

[Kern]

I use a 26lb wing with my dry suit, using a 6lb BP, up to 15lb of lead, & a 12lt x 232bar steel tank (100cft).

 

[Blue Sparkle]

I'm not a professional, but it seems like plenty to me.

I dive in skins to a 5mm. With an AL80 that would be plenty of lift for me (in fact, my BC has nearly ten pounds less lift than yours would, at 17#). If you are diving AL80's with 6# of weight then it seems like you are basically neutral with no weight, and the 6# is to compensate for breathed gas.

As I understand it, these are the questions you need to ask:

1) Will it float your rig at the surface without you in it?

a) reg = 1# negative
b) weight, if integrated, = 6# negative
c) Tank, when full, = 4.5# negative

The total of that is 10.5# negative, so 26# of lift seems like it would be ample.

It also needs to compensate for the change in buoyancy of your wetsuit. What is a 5mm fullsuit, about 6# positive? So say 6# total compression possible.

a) Amount your wetsuit could be negative, = 6#
b) Amount of "extra" weight you could be negative with a full tank (weight of gas), = 6#

Total of above = 12# (say early in dive when your tank is nearly full and you are at depth with a fully compressed wetsuit. Seems like 27# would be ample.

As I mentioned, I have a 17# wing. I dive in Florida/ocean, and the thickest suit I have worn is a 5mm. Where I could see myself possibly needing a larger wing is if I want to dive with fairly negative steel tank(s), especially in combination with the 5mm suit. (I also have a stainless steel backplate I could switch to a plastic or aluminum one, but still at some point I would need a larger wing.)

(If a professional wants to point out any flaws in my thinking, please go right ahead!)

 

[diveprof]

You should be fine. I've been using my 18lb lift bp/w lately with my 8/7 wetsuit and 100cf steel tank.

 

[Dyin-To-Dive]

Thanks for all the great info everyone.

I appreciate it :admingreet:

 

[redacted]

26 is more than enough. With my 5mm suit I have used one BP with 30 lb and another with 18. I can just barely notice the difference.

The only thing I would question is why not go with a BP/Wing? It makes future modification possible - easy even.

 

[Dyin-To-Dive]

Good question on the bp/wing. I actually bought the Islander 2 and LOVE the fit. I did look at a Halcyon rig and thought it was amazing. I am a rec diver and couldn't justify the extra cost. I got a deal on the Islander 2. I bought it from a local shop and paid $414.00 Total .

I will stick with this one for a while until I get more advanced. I am a diver who wants to excel with new certs.

One day, I will buy a BP/Wing rig. One day :blinking:

 

[ajduplessis]

You will love the Islander II

 

[Dyin-To-Dive]

I just got it! I do love, out of the water . I can't wait to dive next week and really try it out. I was going to purchase the Excursion and decided to go for a more streamlined bc. I hope this isn't TOO light for what I am using it for.