Suggestions for weight distribution in Zeagle Ranger W

[c5diver]

more lead isnt a good answer but putting somebody in a back heavy rig that is uncontrolable is not the answer. if you have 60+ lbs of lead then another 8# will not kill you. i think her key is get all the air out of bcd and suit but rolling because your are back weighted is not the way to go.

 

[bj139]

Do you use a very thick undergarment? Switching to a medium weight may reduce a lot of air down low when you are horizontal and allow you to use less lead. I am not cold with a medium weight Whites MK2 undergarment at 41F. I use a BP (-6lbs) and steel HP117 (-9 at 3400 psi -2 at 500psi) with 10 lbs of lead. As stated earlier, you need to get weight down low and air up top when horizontal in order to be statically balanced. The DUI harness is a good idea as well as not adding any air to the drysuit unless needed. As you use air in the tank it will become more buoyant making you more stable.

Edit: I forgot to mention this is in fresh water. I would need to increase my weight by 2.5% if diving salt water. My weighting is -25 at the start of the dive and -18 at the end to account for air used. There doesn't seem to be a perfect weighting since you must be over weighted at the start in order to be neutral at the end. With a drysuit you have 3 buoyancy compensators to adjust; your BCD, your drysuit and your lungs.

 

[Hatul]

I'm wondering if you've too much air in the drysuit. You only need the min to prevent squeeze.

And what if you move the wt from the rear trim pockets to the forward wt pockets?

Adam

 

[Hatul]

Here you go.
If you had to let out your cumberbun more than one hole adjustment to get good overlap, your vest is too small.
The weights are now too far back on your hips, and your "ballast" is completely behind you.
It would be better if the weights were forward on your hips especially if you have a steel tank trying to turn you turtle.

Do you mean let out the cummerbund more than one hole on both left and right side or just one side?

My Zeagle Escape (old version) has 3 adjustments on each side. It comes with the cummerbund bolted to the innermost position.

Adam

 

[CuracaoJ]

Stacy,

Did you ever get a solution to your problem? I have a similar issue with my Ranger. I've found that I can cram a little padding behind the weight pocket to "shove" all the weight forward. This made my situation better, but I'm still not super happy with it. I'm having serious thoughts about taking it in to a seamstress here and having the weight pockets moved forward about an inch and sewn back on. It looks like there is room.

Although Scott, if you read this, can you please ignore that I said that, I don't want to void my warranty!

Jeff

 

[Capt.Gene]

I believe that if you have to let the bun out a hole setting on both sides you probably should have bought the next larger size vest.
If the weights are not positioned properly the bc rotates around and the diver ends up fighting a flip-flopping scuba tank on his back.

 

[ScottZeagle]

Stacy,

Did you ever get a solution to your problem? I have a similar issue with my Ranger. I've found that I can cram a little padding behind the weight pocket to "shove" all the weight forward. This made my situation better, but I'm still not super happy with it. I'm having serious thoughts about taking it in to a seamstress here and having the weight pockets moved forward about an inch and sewn back on. It looks like there is room.

Although Scott, if you read this, can you please ignore that I said that, I don't want to void my warranty!

Jeff

Jeff -

Are you using the yellow weight pouches? If so, they have a velcro "divider" inside that you can use to make the weights stay in the front of back of the pocket, which will help prevent sifting.

Thanks,

Scott

 

[CuracaoJ]

Scott,

Thanks for the update, I never noticed that. I'm heading out tomorrow with the LTD so we'll see if that works before I go pulling seams and restitching pockets!

Jeff