Wing Sizing - did I compromise too much?

[guinsu]

I decided to go with a bp/w and at the time I thought I would get something that could work for both warm and cold water, so I got an oxycheq razor 30lbs. Recently I used it for dry suit training and was talking to the shop owner who mentioned if I continue diving with them and get into tech they always dive doubles so I would need a larger wing. I got a 30 instead of an 18 since at the time I thought I would use it for both warm and cold water. So I thought I'd come here and deal with my buyer's remorse

I'm curious if any other mid-atlantic divers use a 30 for cold water or if it is common in this area to use a single tank in the ocean or are most NJ/NY divers using doubles? I'm just wondering if I picked something that suits a few things ok instead of getting two things that would fit everything better, even though they cost more.

As a side note, the wing worked fine for my training in a dry suit and single tank and I guess for that it is perfectly sized for safe diving. I'll be taking it to the carribean soon, I am sure it will work as well as my old BC.

 

[SlowRain]

Not to worry. While the wing you have will not probably be a viable choice for doubles, there really isn't an effective "one wing does all" choice out there. I have a Mach V as well, but it is used for single cylinder diving. I have a diverite and an OMS (51# and 60#) for doubles diving.

As far as do "most dive doubles" I would think of that in terms of what kind of diving are you planning on doing? If you get into Tech diving it is probably a safe bet you are going to wind up diving doubles. If you get into that...you will probably find yourself needing to buy a wing designed to accommodate doubles diving.

Many here actually have 2 BP/W setups...one for singles and one for doubles. I haven't gone that far as I usually dive doubles so sticking a pair of tank bands on and using a different wing for singles here and there isn't that big a deal to me.

 

[El Orans]

I have a 30 lbs (single tank) wing and even a 105Cuft/15L tank is no problem.

The wing wouldn't work for doubles though.

 

[guinsu]

I knew the wing wouldn't work for doubles, I assumed if I got there I'd be getting more gear (a SS plate would be nice too, I have Au) I guess I am more worried what I have is overkill for the Carribean/FL where I will be going in a bathing suit or a 3mm wet suit. The reason I got it was because I thought I would be doing one kind of cold water diving, but now it seems I could end up going down a tech path with cold water much quicker.

Well, worst case I can sell it and get an 18 for warm water and when I go tech get a doubles wing and heavier plate too. I guess it doesn't need to be pefectly sized right now

 

[Gombessa]

Yep, you pretty much need separate wings for singles and doubles, and for the most part, a 30# wing is a highly recommended all-purpose singles size. When you do move to doubles, you'll need a wider wing anyways, and depending on your trim characteristics, perhaps different bp too.

 

[Gombessa]

I knew the wing wouldn't work for doubles, I assumed if I got there I'd be getting more gear (a SS plate would be nice too, I have Au)

:11: Holy cow, that must have cost a bundle!!

 

[guinsu]

:11: Holy cow, that must have cost a bundle!!

Lol stupid me and my typos. I wonder if there is a market in blinged out backplates?

 

[SlowRain]

I knew the wing wouldn't work for doubles, I assumed if I got there I'd be getting more gear (a SS plate would be nice too, I have Au) I guess I am more worried what I have is overkill for the Carribean/FL where I will be going in a bathing suit or a 3mm wet suit. The reason I got it was because I thought I would be doing one kind of cold water diving, but now it seems I could end up going down a tech path with cold water much quicker.

Well, worst case I can sell it and get an 18 for warm water and when I go tech get a doubles wing and heavier plate too. I guess it doesn't need to be pefectly sized right now

I was just in the Caribbean for a week diving a SS plate with a Mach V wing using AL 80 singles and a 3mm wetsuit. No problems at all. I don't see any reason to dump the Mach V you have...it will be just fine as the Mach V I think is one of the best single cylinder wings out there for a BP/W. I think if I were you I would hang onto the 30# as you might find yourself using steel singles or who knows what, and I would never recommend sticking a doubles wing on a BP/W to dive a single with if something came where 18# wasn't enough.

I would not worry about a heavier plate for doubles. Actually I wish I had an AL plate instead of SS. Right now with a dry suit, double steel 119's, deco bottle(s), and ancillary stuff like reel, lights, etc, I use zero lead and am still a bit negative in the water. Wait until you get into doubles and decide where to go from there, but certainly you will need to invest in a doubles wing.

 

[nereas]

I decided to go with a bp/w and at the time I thought I would get something that could work for both warm and cold water, so I got an oxycheq razor 30lbs. Recently I used it for dry suit training and was talking to the shop owner who mentioned if I continue diving with them and get into tech they always dive doubles so I would need a larger wing. I got a 30 instead of an 18 since at the time I thought I would use it for both warm and cold water. So I thought I'd come here and deal with my buyer's remorse

I'm curious if any other mid-atlantic divers use a 30 for cold water or if it is common in this area to use a single tank in the ocean or are most NJ/NY divers using doubles? I'm just wondering if I picked something that suits a few things ok instead of getting two things that would fit everything better, even though they cost more.

As a side note, the wing worked fine for my training in a dry suit and single tank and I guess for that it is perfectly sized for safe diving. I'll be taking it to the carribean soon, I am sure it will work as well as my old BC.

It all depends on how much weight you wear on your weight belt.

If you like a really heavy weight belt, and your lower back does not mind it either, then your 30 lb wing is fine for cold water diving.

But if you opt for a customized backplate which carries a greater portion of weighting than only 6 lbs, then in that case you will have wished you had gotten a 40 lb wing instead.

It is different for everybody.

 

[nereas]

Yep, you pretty much need separate wings for singles and doubles, and for the most part, a 30# wing is a highly recommended all-purpose singles size. When you do move to doubles, you'll need a wider wing anyways, and depending on your trim characteristics, perhaps different bp too.

30 lbs is actually at least 5 lbs lite, if not more.