Truth Aquatics - 3500 PSI fills on the boat?

[aquacat8]

What is in your pockets/ on your belt with a steel 72? If the extra weight comes off your belt that’s another thing.
Scuba Cylinder Specification Chart from Huron Scuba, Ann Arbor Michigan

 

[Trailboss123]

Hi folks - resurrecting this thread. I'm trying to decide between a LP85 and LP95 for this trip. All my dives so far have been shore dives with Steel 72s. Even with that "small" tank, I find the hike back up the stairs from the beach to be a slow and difficult slog but manageable. I'm a smallish guy, 5'8" and 145lbs. Once in the water of course the tank is no problem.

But I imagine for boat diving, the weight of the tank on land only matters for the few steps across the deck before giant-striding into the water.

Given that, I'm trying to decide if it's worth going for the larger LP95 over the LP85. Am I likely to regret the additional bulk and mass of the larger tank? As a wetsuit diver, will I be limited by cold rather than air? Will the extra size of the LP95 make it more annoying to swim with underwater as well?

Any advice is welcomed!

The Faber LP 85 is actually a taller tank than the LP 95 by just over 2 inches. The LP 95 is 8 inches in circumference vs the 7 inches of the LP 85. The LP 95 is 6lbs heavier when out of the water. But, as you mentioned, it is a short waddle to the giant stride and a couple of steps and a short waddle back to your station after the dive. In water characteristics will not make much of a difference. If it were me, in this case, I would go with the 95 and have the additional air, for when I might want or need it. Given your stature, you might prefer the shorter tank height? If you are going on a trip that is to the Southern Channel Islands of San Clemente and Catalina, you may very well hit some deeper dive sites and the extra air may come in handy. Have a great time!

 

[anchochile]

What is in your pockets/ on your belt with a steel 72? If the extra weight comes off your belt that’s another thing.
Scuba Cylinder Specification Chart from Huron Scuba, Ann Arbor Michigan

With a 7mm full suit, hood, boots, & gloves, I'm using about 20lbs of lead with the Steel 72. As I understand it the older 72s (which is what I use) are roughly neutral when empty.

I've read that some LP85s and 95s are a few lbs positive when empty, so I'd actually have to add lead.

 

[aquacat8]

Damn it is hard to beat the buoyancy characteristics of a steel 72 for cold water diving… Light out of the water, heavy in the water, a long enough tank that you can adjust the strap up and down if you need to fine-tune your trim. Beats the heck out of me why they stopped making it.

 

[aquacat8]

Not to mention you can cave fill those babies. Damn I miss my old Faber 72’s!

 

[aquacat8]

But my boyfriend was about your height and weight and he loved his steel 95’s for exactly those dives! Lucky you, the kelp forest is beautiful. Those northern islands are cold so bring all the warm stuff you can!

 

[Johnoly]

... I would go with the 95 and have the additional air...

.., so I'd actually have to add lead.

It's been 2 yrs, but I rented a Faber LP95 from the dockside shop. That means you can subtract lead. The weight difference is just a half pound from 80 vs 95 but you get tons more air. It's a really great location to dive and you will be huffing and puffing from all the excitement of the sea lions zooming you, the awesome 'walking' kelp, the purple urchins, 'dem orange-ey feshies, and so much more. Just listen to @Trailboss123 and get the LP95. Plus it's safer if you need extra time to find the anchor line after looking around. You'll have an incredible trip !!

 

[anchochile]

It's been 2 yrs, but I rented a Faber LP95 from the dockside shop. That means you can subtract lead. The weight difference is just a half pound from 80 vs 95 but you get tons more air.

I've been diving old steel 72s, which are roughly neutral when empty. The 95s are about 2 lbs positive when empty, so I'd have to add a couple lbs of lead compared with my current setup. Maybe you're comparing them to a AL80, in which case, yes, I'd need less lead than with an AL80, but I've never used an AL80.

 

[StefinSB]

With a 7mm full suit, hood, boots, & gloves, I'm using about 20lbs of lead with the Steel 72. As I understand it the older 72s (which is what I use) are roughly neutral when empty.

I've read that some LP85s and 95s are a few lbs positive when empty, so I'd actually have to add lead.

The older white Faber LP85 are often quoted around +2.5# but this is without the valve! So in reality they are between neutral and a smidgen positive empty. The worthington LP85s are -0.5# empty. On that trip to Anacapa I would either take an HP100 or LP85. Forgot the LP95.

 

[Bob DBF]

My boat tank is a LP 95 for the Channel Islands, it's easy to get a good fill. It isn't the walk across the deck and giant stride that gets me, it's three days of hauling it up the ladder after the dive that kicks my butt.



Bob