Trim question on BP/W

[limeyx]

Buying the wrong tank is one of those things I want to avoid and part of the reason for the question.

I would like to end up with less ditchable weights, ideally the amount needed to offset the air in my tank. By the way, I dive a Viking drysuit.

In my case, the HP-100 gets lead off my belt and does not put me head down.
But you need to try it before you buy one!

If I use even 4 pounds toward my head, I tend to go head down so I dont tend to use a weighted STA (although it's been a while since I used it last so I might give it another try and see)

 

[TSandM]

Here's a business idea . . . Somebody ought to stock up on all the various plates, STA's, cam band pockets, etc. that you can use to mess with your trim, and then rent them to people who don't want to spend the whole purchase price on such things, only to find that they don't solve the problem. Shipping would be a hassle, but . . .

 

[halocline]

If you have positive fins, you could try negative ones; it's only a small difference but since it's way down at the end of your legs it makes a noticable difference.

 

[cummings66]

Off the topic: What sort of viking suit, and what underwear do you wear?

I use a Viking Sport and a US-35, sometimes I add a fleese layer over it. I'm not very cold natured and don't mind 42 F with a 7mm suit. Just wanted to be more comfortable on the surface afterwards.

 

[cummings66]

It's odd, but when I used a Mares Vector Origin BCD I had to use tank weights right under my valve to get my trim right, with the BP/W I found my trim was almost perfect from the start. It certainly took less effort to get trim with this.

The first couple dives with a drysuit I had to use ankle weights, now I don't need them and I can feel a difference without them. That's why I don't care for them, been there done it, and didn't like it. Of course you do what you have to do to get trimmed out right.

 

[StSomewhere]

I have a DSS stainless plate (which rocks!) I use it for single tank diving with LP steel tanks, currently with a 7/6mm wetsuit.

I also have the DSS 5 lb. weighted plates (unfortunately the 5 lb-ers aren't available anymore, I own the last set), I only use them for diving single AL80's. They are almost a perfect offset for the added buoyancy of the AL80 vs. a low pressure steel tank at the end of a dive. This still leaves me enough ditchable weight with a 7/6mm wetsuit to be plenty buoyant at the surface if it would ever be necessary.

The steel plate by itself is also about perfect with an AL80 wearing a 3/2mm wetsuit in saltwater.

I've found my XL Jetfins go a long way toward offsetting any head-heavy tendencies.

YMMV.