Is Pioneer 27lb enough lift?

[bketchel]

This forum has been great. Problem with searching other threads is that I'm having difficulty getting my specific question answered. Sorry if this has already been asked.

I plan to do both coldwater (lake michigan) and tropical diving and would like to know if this setup will give me adequate lift. My biggest concern is cold water.

This is my planned setup:

FredT 6lb SS backplate without STA
27lb Pioneer wing
drysuit (either nex-gen or trilam)
single tanks
I am a medium build 210lb

If 27lb won't cut it, should I go with 35lb?

Thanks!

 

[Uncle Pug]

You don't say what tank you will be using... there is a big difference between and Al80 and a Lp Steel 104.

That said... with just the tank and the 6# plate the 27# wing will float your rig... in saltwater.

The 27# wing does not have 27# positive buoyancy. With a 6# plate, 6# channel weight and full lp 104 it won't float my rig in saltwater... in fact it won't float it with 1500 psi in the tank.

And that said... I haven't dove the 36# but did have a 45# at one time but I really like the little 27# better.

Just don't go with integrated weights and then take your rig off at the back of the boat without having a line attached first.

 

[jonnythan]

Go ahead and get the 36 lb. The wing needs to accomplish 3 things: 1) offset the weight of your gas at the beginning of the dive (generally 6-10 lbs), and 2) offset the buoyancy loss of any neoprene you may be wearing (anywhere from 1 to 30 pounds) and 3) be able to float your rig at the surface.

If you're wearing a lot of neoprene (7mm FJ + 7mm shorty), definitely go for the 36 lb. No sense cutting it close when you don't have to. Also, if you plan on attaching any additional weight to your rig, you'll probably want the 36. For example, with my 6 lb backplate, 8 pound channel weight, a 1 lb STA, 1 lb of hardware, and a steel tank, my rig can be as negatively buoyant as 25 pounds at the surface. A 27 lb wing might have some trouble with that.

You don't really lose much of anything going with the 36 lb..

 

[SDAnderson]

There are too many variables for a stock answer but you'll be close to not having enough lift. Freshwater bouyancy, tank material, how much weight will you be carrying, etc. If you aren't sure, see if your shop will let you try them out in a pool or maybe you can borrow a 27lber from someone.

 

[bketchel]

Thanks very much for the great feedback so far.

Okay, so it sounds like a 35lb (oms, non-bungied) or 36lb (halycon) would be decent choices for cold weather diving and may also work for tropical diving.

If I dive the 35lb / 36lb wing in the tropics, do I need to be concerned about excessive lift. Or can I just offset that with extra weights?

The 35lb OMS wing is much less expensive than Halcyon. Does anybody have experience with that wing? I can't find any info on the board.

 

[Mverick]

I use a Halcyon 27lb wing with a FredT AL backplate. With a LP108 in a 3mm wetsuit. No weight needed. And it will float me. On trips. I use the SS FredT with AL80's and around 6lbs of weight. On a belt.

In my Drysuit. I still used the 27lb with a FredT SS plate. And a HP100 faber. Which are HEAVY. Can't remember the weight. I don't dive singles much anymore. If I use duals. I use a AL FredT and no weight. 55lb wing.

I'm 6'2" 200lbs athletic build.