Proper positioning of weights and tanks

[DavidHickey]

Good morning,
I'm pretty new to diving "about 25 dives" and have been having a problem lately since switching to my 7mm suit. The past couple of dives it feels like I'm swimming at a 45% angle. I try to hover and stay still and my legs just seem to sink down. Currently I'm wearing a Bare 7mm suit with a Zeagle Ranger LTD with an E8 119cf tank. I have 4 pounds of lead in each of the rear weight pouches that go around the tank and 5 pounds in the front weight pockets for a total of 18 pounds. I know its probably hard guessing, but with that set up what do ya think I might try to help even myself out in the water? Tank higher? changing the weights around? I almost forgot but I also got a new set of Apollo bio fins with spring straps about the same time. They do feel heavier than my old fins, but either way I still need to do something to compensate. Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks
David

 

[xSandman3]

I'd say move that big hunk o' steel on your back up higher. That's a big tank, and it's going to affect your position in the water quite a bit.

Just keep trying little things to improve your trim, and you'll get there.

 

[oceancrest67]

Proper weighting and trim is a delicate balance. Proper bouyancy can take a while to master...and what I mean by proper bouyancy is grace underwater. Most new students are overweighted underwater...compensating by pumping up their bc's. This is a bad habit. Experience is the greatest teacher of them all and it will help in fine tuning what equipment works best for you, given what weight you need, and in what environment...I suspect you won't be diving a thick wet suit all the time? Over time you will shed weight overall.

I can dive a single tank AL or Steel without any weights in a 3mm...but, this is just me...everyone is different because we all come in different shapes and sizes.

I believe your Ranger is weight integrated. What do you use as weight in your side pockets?

 

[Santa]

Depending on the tank size or position I sometimes just use my shoulder straps to adjust the trim a bit.

 

[Scubar]

I don't know if this would work for you but you could try puting a 2 1/2# clip-on on your left and right D-ring and reduce some of the pocket weight.

 

[Tassie_Rohan]

Hi there David -

First test and fine tune your bouyancy to make sure you are not overweighted: you should have enough lead to be neutral at 3-5 m with a near empty tank: for a 7 mm wet i used to use around 12-15 lb [salt water, steel tank, drop another 5-6lb for fresh]. Being overweighted is the best way to get that 45* rototiller trim.

Once you've dropped lead till yoo canna drop anymore, and if your trim is still out, then try shifting 3lb or so from your waist up to behind your shoulders - if your rear weight pockets are lower than that try attaching them, or other weight pouches, to a cam band on the top of your tank. Ditto try shifting your tank up a bit.

Is the Ranger a jacket, back inflate or BP BC? I seem to remember getting good trim in a 7 mm with 6 pounds behind the shoulders and back (as weights or a plate) and around 6 around the waist [again for salt and steel tank] - but its been a while since I've dived wet so my memorys a bit vague on exact amounts

Best of luck getting the trim right - its the best step forward you can make.

Cheers,
Rohan.

 

[JimC]

I assume your diving in fresh water. 18# w/ that tank is likely to much in a 7mm.

Proper weighting is crucial for proper trim.