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Need recommendation: Positively buoyant fin for tech(-ish) diving

Discussion in 'Fins, Masks and Snorkels' started by stretchthepenn, Jun 25, 2019.

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  1. stretchthepenn

    stretchthepenn Nassau Grouper

    # of Dives: 200 - 499
    Location: Atlanta, GA
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    Are there any fins out there that are (a) appropriate for technical diving and (b) positively buoyant?

    Here's why I'm asking... I'm working on my PADI Tec40 class, and I'm interested in moving onward into the technical diving realm. At present, I'm almost exclusively diving sidemount and use OMS Slipstream fins (XXL) for both my wet- and drysuit diving. Problem is, those fins are supposed to have neutral buoyancy, but I'm foot-heavy in both exposure suits, even if I put trim weights on my shoulders and wear 6.5mm Scubapro booties and neoprene socks with the wetsuit.

    There are two possibilities I can think of for being foot-heavy. The first is my tanks. Currently, I'm diving 2 x Faber HP 100s, but I've had similar results with PST HP 120s and Coyne LP 95s, so I think they're not the culprits. (I'm going to test this hypothesis by experimenting with tanks and learning how to use backmounted doubles, so please don't bother telling me that my tanks are all wrong or that I need to ditch diving sidemount.)

    The second possibility is my exposure protection. I'm typically going deep in the local quarry, so if I dive wet, it's in a 5mm suit with either a 3mm hooded vest or a Lavacore vest with a separate 5mm drysuit hood. This amount of insulation might make me chest-light, but considering that I have the same sinking-feet problem in a drysuit unless I intentionally inflate my legs, I think that foot-heavy is my natural state.

    Thus, I'm looking for fin recommendations. Anyone?
     
    stretchthepenn, Jun 25, 2019
    stretchthepenn, Jun 25, 2019
    #1
  2. TC

    TC Miscreant Moderator Staff Member

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    Deep 6 eddy fin- positively buoyant and shaped much like a jet.
     
    TC, Jun 25, 2019
    TC, Jun 25, 2019
    #2
    RainPilot likes this.
  3. RainPilot

    RainPilot CCR Instructor Staff Member

    # of Dives: I just don't log dives
    Location: UAE
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    What TC said, but in the meanwhile there is a workaround in a drysuit, carefully allowing gas to enter your lower-leg area, and then bending the knees to trap it, can trim you out quite nicely with heavy fins.
     
    RainPilot, Jun 25, 2019
    RainPilot, Jun 25, 2019
    #3
    Graeme Fraser likes this.
  4. rongoodman

    rongoodman ScubaBoard Supporter ScubaBoard Supporter

    # of Dives: 200 - 499
    Location: Albany, NY
    4,960
    1,616
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    The third possibility is your posture. You have to put a little effort into keeping you feet up, not just let them hang there. Your back should be straight from shoulders to knees and you will likely feel a little tension in your glutes when it is. The Eddy fins are great, but not that much lighter than the Slipstreams.
     
    rongoodman, Jun 25, 2019
    rongoodman, Jun 25, 2019
    #4
  5. eelnoraa

    eelnoraa DIR Practitioner

    # of Dives: 100 - 199
    Location: San Francisco Bay Area
    3,920
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    Maybe before getting new fins, go dive with a tech instructor and have him/her look at your trim and setup. It is strange to be leg heavy to this point with double steel, light fins and drysuits.
     
    eelnoraa, Jun 25, 2019
    eelnoraa, Jun 25, 2019
    #5
  7. Marie13

    Marie13 Great Lakes Mermaid ScubaBoard Supporter

    # of Dives: 200 - 499
    Location: Great Lakes
    5,615
    3,966
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    Second the Eddy fins.
     
    Marie13, Jun 25, 2019
    Marie13, Jun 25, 2019
    #6
  8. lexvil

    lexvil Loggerhead Turtle

    # of Dives: 1,000 - 2,499
    Location: jamestown, ca.
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    Go sport have replaced Eddy’s for me
     
    lexvil, Jun 25, 2019
    lexvil, Jun 25, 2019
    #7
  9. blake7

    blake7 DIR Practitioner

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    blake7, Jun 25, 2019
    blake7, Jun 25, 2019
    #8
    stretchthepenn likes this.
  10. tursiops

    tursiops Marine Scientist and Master Instructor ScubaBoard Supporter

    # of Dives: 2,500 - 4,999
    Location: U.S. East Coast
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    tursiops, Jun 25, 2019
    tursiops, Jun 25, 2019
    #9
  11. noj3333

    noj3333 Solo Diver

    # of Dives: 100 - 199
    Location: Albany, New York
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    Can I ask why? I love my eddy's, but I'm always looking to for a different option too.
     
    noj3333, Jun 25, 2019
    noj3333, Jun 25, 2019
    #10
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