Weight Requirements?

[djminus1]

I know it is difficult to estimate weight requirements, but can someone help me ball park what I will need on my upcoming trip to Cabo.

I am 6'2" and 210lbs. I am a weight lifter with an athletic build. My body fat percentage is only around 11%. I think this may be relevant as fat is more buoyant than muscle?

I will be diving in a 3/2 shortie.

I was diving last November in Belize, and I can't remember how much weight I had. I want to say it was 14 pounds. Does that sound right?

Can anyone help me? I fear that I am going to get to Cabo and have no idea how much weight to bring on my dive. I know it is better to take too much, rather than too little.

 

[spectrum]

I needed 14 in Bonaire in a 2mm shortie and I'm nearly as lean at 210/5-9.

You are right that a lot of factors are in play but If you want my guess I'd say go in with 12 and make sure 2 are accessible so you can try handing it off at the end of the dive for a final check at 10.

Pete

 

[pasley]

I was in Beleze, Cozumel, Grand Cayman and Roatan recently in a 3mm full length suit. 150 pounds 6Ft lean, wore 12 pounds. But most die boats have the weights onboard and you and adjust on the fly.

 

[1_T_Submariner]

Sounds like too much to me. I wear a 2 mm shorty with 12lbs. I am built "for comfort not speed" If you are overweighted on the first dive by a little you can remove some afterwards.

I'm not an advocate of overweighting but, it would be better to be 2-4lbs heavy on your first dive and do a proper weight check at the end of the dive (if you need this info just ask).

 

[stairman]

Proper weighting can be tricky.You should hover at 20 ft. with 700psi.for your safety stop.Its nice when dive boats have drop weights at 20 ft.that you can clip on if you become too buoant.Id say 19lbs.Most who arent sure swim too much weight for safety.

 

[Boxcar Overkill]

You won't be the first one the boat that had that problem. In fact, you probably won't be the only one on that day. If your guides are any good at all, you should tell them before you head out that you're not sure how much weight you need, and they'll help get you sorted out. That's one of the good things about having professional dive guides on your boat. While this may be a new issue for you, they've been through it 1000 times.

 

[bfisher]

You won't be the first one the boat that had that problem. In fact, you probably won't be the only one on that day. If your guides are any good at all, you should tell them before you head out that you're not sure how much weight you need, and they'll help get you sorted out. That's one of the good things about having professional dive guides on your boat. While this may be a new issue for you, they've been through it 1000 times.

This has to be the best answer so far. Nothing beats jumping in the water with some lead on and finding out. Besides, what you start out with will most likely change as you become more comforatble and breathe easier.

I would only add that it sounds like you are planning on taking your own weights? Don't. The dive op has al the weights you need and I've never been on a boat yet that didn't carry enough extra weights so you can add if necessary.

 

[nereas]

I know it is difficult to estimate weight requirements, but can someone help me ball park what I will need on my upcoming trip to Cabo.

I am 6'2" and 210lbs. I am a weight lifter with an athletic build. My body fat percentage is only around 11%. I think this may be relevant as fat is more buoyant than muscle?

I will be diving in a 3/2 shortie.

I was diving last November in Belize, and I can't remember how much weight I had. I want to say it was 14 pounds. Does that sound right?

Can anyone help me? I fear that I am going to get to Cabo and have no idea how much weight to bring on my dive. I know it is better to take too much, rather than too little.

The waters of Cabo are fairly cool this time of year, so you would probably be better off in a 5mm full suit, the standard for Mexican Pacific diving.

You can always estimate your weight yourself by jumping into a swimming pool, then weighting yourself that way, and then adding 6 lbs more for seawater.

 

[nereas]

I was in Beleze, Cozumel, Grand Cayman and Roatan recently in a 3mm full length suit. 150 pounds 6Ft lean, wore 12 pounds. But most die boats have the weights onboard and you and adjust on the fly.

Typical for the Caribbean side of Mexico, not the Pacific side, however.

 

[BarryNL]

I know it is difficult to estimate weight requirements, but can someone help me ball park what I will need on my upcoming trip to Cabo.

I am 6'2" and 210lbs. I am a weight lifter with an athletic build. My body fat percentage is only around 11%. I think this may be relevant as fat is more buoyant than muscle?

I will be diving in a 3/2 shortie.

I was diving last November in Belize, and I can't remember how much weight I had. I want to say it was 14 pounds. Does that sound right?

I'm actually kind of surprised if you need more than about 10 lbs with that build and wetsuit. Still, you can always start with 14 on your first dive if and drop a couple of lbs per dive until you get it right.