Smallest wing available

[cool_hardware52]

I'm kind of leaning towards the 12# wing now, although I'd probably throw that spare inflator I have on it. What do you think Tobin?

I dive just AL80s, sometimes 1, sometimes 2...well and sometimes just a 40 for short/shallow dives. Used to use a 30# for singles, but I'm lazy so now I just use my 40# Evolve for everything. And I'm probably making the move to side mount.

Considering how positive I am, even with the doubles, I'm thinking about going against everything I was taught, and used to believe, going wingless, and just using the suit for the minimal lift I'll need.

Wet, I only dive a 3mm. With a single, I'm pretty close to neutral. Have to make sure every bit of air is out of that Evolve to get down. After losing the bands, manifold, and the BP, I figure I'll be shaving off from 15-20lbs. Which means I could cut that 40 down to 20-25lbs. Of course, that's assuming I really need 40# in the first place?

A lot of the side mount guys go wingless with a single 80 when diving wet, and without the manifold and bands there's really only going to be a few lbs. difference between 1 and 2 tanks. Being really streamlined will be nice. On the other hand, some extra lift, in case the **** hits the fan, or even just to float me on the surface, especially in sloppy seas, would be good too.

Someone recommended simply using a 4L MSR bag. I figure the 12# isn't too much bigger.

I'm not sure I follow what your plans are.

I do not recommend using the SS12 with drysuit. Suit failure can result in the loss of a lot of buoyancy.

The SS12 is intended for thin wetsuits and a single slung al 80.

BTW when used as intended the oral inflator is all you need.

Tobin

 

[ae3753]

I'm not sure I follow what your plans are.

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/side-mount-divers/354471-diy-sidemount-wing.html

 

[grouchyturtle]

What Don said.

Basically just kind of torn between what people are saying in this thread (AKA: traditional thinking) and what all the side mount guys are saying, which is the smaller the better, since if you're neutral, you really only need minimal buoyancy.

And between my own preference of being really streamlined vs. having that extra lift at least for on the surface (especially in rough weather).

 

[cool_hardware52]

What Don said.

Basically just kind of torn between what people are saying in this thread (AKA: traditional thinking) and what all the side mount guys are saying, which is the smaller the better, since if you're neutral, you really only need minimal buoyancy.

And between my own preference of being really streamlined vs. having that extra lift at least for on the surface (especially in rough weather).

I would recommend the SS12 as a sidemount wing.

We have done a little development work on a Sidemount wing, and the SS12 was the *Starting Point*

Considerable modifications were made, well beyond the range of of the DIY's

Tobin