Renting soft weights

[eli homza]

I plan to dive for the first time during a cruise in May. I've read over all the postings in the "general" category - lots of good advice. I've pretty much decided to take my own gear, to include my BC - but not my dive knife . My BC's a weight integrated type, so I was wondering if the weights I get from the the dive vendors will be the soft type that fit in my BC (or will be forced to use a weight belt with solid weights)?

 

[DeputyDan]

Probably hard weights.

Depends on how much you need as to whether they will fit in your BC. MY integrated works well with either but I only use 12 pounds.

 

[spectrum]

Soft weights are unlikely.

Many BC's permit or prefer the use of hard weights in the pockets

Diving in the tropics (I assume) on a cruise should not require a traumatic amount of weight in any format.

Have a great trip!

Pete

 

[RJP]

Almost by definition hard weights take up less volume/room than soft weights so you should have no problem. In fact, I can't think of a BC that is designed in such a way as to not accomodate hard weights.

 

[diveborg]

You should expect hard weights. Hard weights fit in my BC with little problem and I've gotten 22 lbs into it when I was wearing my 5 MM wetsuit.

 

[robint]

I have seen soft weights on a liveaboard boat (Nekton) but nowhere else in the tropics. Hard weights are cheaper and more practical in volume.

actually, there is alot of controversy right now regarding the hard-weights vs. soft-weights......... seems many people believe that the soft weights break down and contaminate the water. Don't know how true this is, but after buying lots of soft weights and using them over the past few years for local diving, I am thinking that we should have bought the hard ones. Those little bags that the soft weights are in seems to take a beating going in and out from weight pockets and some of ours look pretty bad.

 

[Bratface]

I've never seen soft weights on any of the dive trips I've taken. I have never had problems using the hard weights in my weighb pockets or trim pockets. Have a good time.

 

[eli homza]

Thanks to all who responded regarding soft vs. hard weights. I may just try some hard weights in my BC here at my local dive shop - just to see how best to "fit" them into my BC pockets.

 

[adjuster-jd]

Hard weights are definitely easier to get in an out my BC pockets. The only big advantage I see to soft weights is that they don't hurt (as much) if you drop them on your toe - which I have done at least once.. I have been on smaller private boats that only provide soft weights since when dropped they also don't tend to damage the boat.
Other than these reasons, it would seem that hard weights should be just fine for you.

 

[Damselfish]

it's rare to get soft weights, but also unlikely your BC won't be fine with hard.