Thanks everybody for the interesting replies and the suggestions! What bothers me the most about the 32lbs of weight is the absence of information about such issues at the dive stores/ manufacturers websites, when they present both trilaminate and compressed neoprene drysuits. I have tried a trilam. DUI last week, and needed only 24lbs, which to my eyes demonstrates that compressed noprene drysuits are extremely buoyant indeed. Sort of obvious, but I admit I did not think of it when I made my choice. At the time, the argument was that compressed neoprene is tougher and less likely for instance to get punctured on a wreckdive. I am not so sure any longer!
Interestingly, most people in europe seem to dive with compressed neoprene drysuits. It is to the extent that brands like Scubapro and Mares have several models of those, that cannot be found in the US.
Re the ``bragging rights for those using less weight'' I certainly have learned over the years how misplaced those are. Only a month ago, I got paired on a dive boat with a friendly buddy who baffled me by making her safety stop at 30ft and then shot to the surface in what seemed like 2 seconds, explaining happily later that ``she could not hold it at the end of a dive when above 30ft''!!! I recommended strapping 4lbs more, which allowed her to make a SAFE second dive that day.
Interestingly, most people in europe seem to dive with compressed neoprene drysuits. It is to the extent that brands like Scubapro and Mares have several models of those, that cannot be found in the US.
Re the ``bragging rights for those using less weight'' I certainly have learned over the years how misplaced those are. Only a month ago, I got paired on a dive boat with a friendly buddy who baffled me by making her safety stop at 30ft and then shot to the surface in what seemed like 2 seconds, explaining happily later that ``she could not hold it at the end of a dive when above 30ft''!!! I recommended strapping 4lbs more, which allowed her to make a SAFE second dive that day.
(The weight of the SS backplate..or thereabouts) Let's account for my extra 28lbs then. Let's say 6lbs for the difference between my AL80 and your steel 120. Down to 22 then. Let's say 4 for our body weight differential (your 180 to my 215). Down to 18. That would be my neoprene vs. your shell. My BC vs. the weight of your actual harness (minus the backplate). And my "air layer" size vs. however big you want yours to be...
