Is it a bad idea to buy a slightly too large wing?

[jefffalcone]

I'm new to diving doubles. Right now I only have a set of AL 80s, but I'll probably double up some of my bigger tanks in the future. I'm considering buying a 55# wing, because I found a good deal on one. It is definately more lift than I need for the AL 80s. I'm thinking more like 40# would be ideal. Will I regret it if I buy the 55# wing and use it for those tanks, so that I can keep the same wing when I switch up to larger steel tanks? I'm thinking that the Al 80s are wide enough so that the wing will fit nicely, but I've always been told that you should use the smallest wing that has enough lift. How much additional drag will I get? Will I notice it?

I'd particularly appreciate responses from the DIR crowd, but I'm also interested in hearing from anyone else who knows what they are talking about.

Thanks,
Jeff

 

[ianr33]

55# wings will work fine with Al 80 doubles and as you say can also be used with large steel tanks. I dive a 40# wing that works great for 80's but is pretty marginal with 104's

I have no idea what the DIR answer is.

 

[lowviz]

The 55# wing will be welcome if you do offshore wreck diving, collecting, or other activities where you find yourself temporarily overweighted. I dive a 51# wing with steel HP 100's and doubt that I would notice the difference of a 55# wing. So yes, a 40# sounds spot-on from a low-drag buoyancy standpoint, but I would sacrifice a bit of drag for the versatility of a bit more lift.

 

[TSandM]

I think the biggest issue you'd be likely to have is problems venting. The "fuller" a wing is, the easier it is to get the gas to the dumps. When you have a large flap to the side, and a little gas in it, the gas goes to the top of the side channel, and you may have to break trim a fair amount to get it out. If you are properly weighted, you usually don't have a ton of gas in your wing, so a properly weighted diver with too-large a wing might, ironically, have more trouble that somebody who's overweighted.

I dive a 40 lb wing with double LP85s -- 40 lbs is enough lift even for those tanks.

 

[jefffalcone]

I think the biggest issue you'd be likely to have is problems venting. The "fuller" a wing is, the easier it is to get the gas to the dumps. When you have a large flap to the side, and a little gas in it, the gas goes to the top of the side channel, and you may have to break trim a fair amount to get it out. If you are properly weighted, you usually don't have a ton of gas in your wing, so a properly weighted diver with too-large a wing might, ironically, have more trouble that somebody who's overweighted.

I dive a 40 lb wing with double LP85s -- 40 lbs is enough lift even for those tanks.

I was kind of leaning in this direction. Thanks for the advice. Sometimes a good deal gets tempting, but a good deal on the wrong gear isn't really that good.

 

[lowviz]

I think the biggest issue you'd be likely to have is problems venting. ................QUOTE]

OK. This is true, but I'm betting he is looking at a bungied wing. My 38# single tank wing is not bungied and I admit I do a lot of hooching around to dump when I'm rigged "all-for-trim". It would help if we knew the wing model, the wing configuration makes a big difference, it's not just lift.

 

[jefffalcone]

I think the biggest issue you'd be likely to have is problems venting. ................QUOTE]

OK. This is true, but I'm betting he is looking at a bungied wing. My 38# single tank wing is not bungied and I admit I do a lot of hooching around to dump when I'm rigged "all-for-trim". It would help if we knew the wing model, the wing configuration makes a big difference, it's not just lift.

Definitely not talking about a bungied wing. TSandM gave me the advice that I needed. Wing model doesn't make a huge difference. All DIR compliant wings are pretty similar in design. Only difference is horseshoe of donut. I didn't specifically say I was looking at DIR compliant stuff, but considering I asked for advice from the DIR community, it was implied.

Thanks for you input. A bungied wing might help with venting issues if that were the direction I chose.

 

[Mayor]

Here are some wing pictures that might help. I'm in the market for new gear and have been testing a few models. The problem I have is somewhat like yours as I want to get a larger wing so I can do two tanks but for now I will just use one tank (HP130). The OMS 60lb lift unit looks the best as you can see but most good tec divers hate the cords. They feel it will get hooked on everything.

OMS Larry Green

Halcyon Evolve

???

OMS 60lb bung