Wing Suggestion

[smb1014]

I am very interested in switching over to a DIR configuration. I plan to dive in the north east and I dive with a dry suit and a single 100Cuft steel tank. I also do some diving in tropical waters with an AL80. What wing do you recommend? Or is it REALLY a necessity to get two different wings? I have been looking at the Pioneer 36 or the Eclipse 30. Any extra help would be greatly appreciated. THANKS!

 

[PerroneFord]

I'm thinking a 36 should be MORE than enough. People are doing doubles on just a bit more than that kind of lift. I am not a cold water diver so I am sure others will have comments.

 

[Derek S]

smb -

I can speak to this as you and I dive very similar setups. I dive PST 100s for singles, and last October dove a week in the Bahamas using only AL80s. I use a Pioneer 45lb wing for my singles. It has worked flawlessly in all situations. I'm a pretty big guy 5-10, 230, so having that little extra lift is nice to offset the lead I need to get my *ahem* girth neutral.

That being said, I also own a 40lb Halcon Evo (hasn't been wet yet) and a 40lb Halcyon Explorer that I use for my double AL80s. It works flawlessly as well.

So, in short, I would assume that based on your tanks and that you're either my size or smaller (read: more fit ) that a 30-40lb single tank wing will work fine for your cold water diving, as well as the occasional jaunts to places a wee bit warmer.

Speaking of which, the warmer water is callin' my name....

 

[cobalt]

Quick question, excuse my ignorace, is there a reason to go from the 30 to the 40 is you weight 230 pounds, or 250, for that matter but only need 12-15 pounds to go down? With the 12-15 you still have 15lbs left, why jump to the 40? Do people find 15 pounds of "stuff" to bring up?

 

[Derek S]

Cobalt,

I was told I needed a 45lb lift wing based on the following factors:

- My size
- Steel tanks
- Drysuit

Could I have gotten away with a 30 or 36lb wing? Probably. The 45 is good though in that it gives me extra lift if I ever need it, and it seems to not have any excess drag over a smaller wing.

As always, YMMV though.

 

[MSilvia]

I have "girth" and use a Halcyon 30# with steel tanks and a drysuit. It's just fine... I try to be near neutral with it empty, and 30 lbs of extra bouyancy at the surface is more than I need. Whether Derek S notices it or not, extra fabric=extra drag. I have an Oxycheq 40# too, but it's for my doubles.

So long as you're using single tanks, just about any single tank wing of reasonable capacity should work for you. You shouldn't have to change unless you switch to doubles, or get a tiny travel wing that doesn't have enough capacity to float your steel.

 

[JimC]

I use/have used a 27# pioneer wing for:

AL80 and E7-100 in batheing suit
AL80 and E7-100 in 3mm
AL63, AL80, E7-100, E8-130, LP104, LP80 in 7mm
AL80, E7-100, E8-130, LP95 in drysuit

The LP95 in the drysuit was the only time I felt that I needed/wanted more lift and only at the surface at the start of the dive and only because it was overfilled to 4200psi.

If I were in the market for a singles wing I would be getting a a Halcyon Eclipse 30. I might want a batwing (which they don't make anymore) for the Al80/batheing suit gig, but the 27# was more than fine.

 

[Derek S]

Whether Derek S notices it or not, extra fabric=extra drag.

So that's what has been throwing my trim and buoyancy off?!?!?

Seriously, Matt is correct. I probably have more than the desired wing with my 45lb. I was told that 45lb was what I needed when I bought it (translation - probably what they had in stock at the time ).

I may pick up another wing someday, but for now the 45 "git 'er done". :14:

 

[Derek S]

AL80 and E7-100 in batheing suit

Jim, when on earth would a Canadian be wearing a bathing suit on a dive?

 

[JeffG]

Jim, when on earth would a Canadian be wearing a bathing suit on a dive?

Yea...I would expect him just to wear his X-Shorts and go without the suit.