Zeagle Ranger & weight loss question (Scott &/or Chad)

[spschneer]

Hi

Have a question..I have a Ranger (older - probably 2000-2001 timeframe) that I bought when I was 50+ lbs heavier...It is an XL top & bottom. Now, I've lost enough weight(yeah ) that it's almost too loose around the waist. I have it in the last holes and the cummerbund is totally overlapped with the cinch straps all the way tight. The biggest problem I have is that it tends to shift upward when I'm vertical so the cummerband gets up under my ribs, rather than staying down by my hips...this throws my trim off and screws up my buoyancy....then I look like a 50's starlet pulling down her girdle:icon10:

Should I:

get a split saddle strap (crotch strap) to keep it down,
get a Lg waist replacement section,
add a lumbar pad, or
???

Also, my lift bladder is a 44 lb and has 1 lower dump, if I change to an Escape bladder, for less lift (35lb) would it fit onto this BC...(according to Scubatoys, they use the Escape bladder with the Ranger vest/waist for their Brigade BC..but I don't know if my Ranger would be too old for that)..also, does the current Escape bladder have 1 or two lower rear dumps? (I've seen reports of both). I would like a bladder with 2 lower rear dumps since I don't have a problem with trapping air, but do have an occasional time of not getting enough air vented properly

I'm in Tampa, and if Chad or Scott have a loaner of either the saddle strap or lumbar pad to try out that would be great...my dealer of choice (Tampa Adventure Sports) isn't a Zeagle dealer (yet), but I'm working on him...

Thanks

Steve
(no, I didn't lose any weights from the Ranger itself...just me )

 

[scubatoys]

Just figured I'd answer what I could for you. The current bladder we use on the Brigade does have dual bottom dumps. About 6 months ago, they changed it to that.

As far as the sizing, a lumbar pad will take about 2 inches of room off the cummerbund. If that is enough, that would be an easy fix, but in your situation, it might take more than that. And hate to say it, but by the time you buy a new bladder (if you want one) and a new waist panel, you could darn near just buy a new Brigade - and probably do better selling your ranger, and just starting over.

Too bad you're not in the Dallas area, you could hit our pool and try the lumbar pad here. If you can't scrounge one up out there, give us a shout, and we could always send one to you... should just be about 3 or 4 bucks each way in shipping if you can't find another way to check one out.

 

[ScottZeagle]

Steve,

Larry (as usual) is pretty much dead on. The lumbar pad will take up a couple of inches, and the saddle strap will help hold the BC down, but 50 pounds is a lot of weight to make up for with a couple of accessories...

I believe that the closest Zeagle dealer to you is EZ Scuba on Hillborough Ave.

Best of luck, and congrats on the weight loss!!!!!

Scott

 

[Chad Carney]

Steve,

Congrats on the major weight loss!

Other than sell the BC and buying an entirely new one, you could just replace the vest with the next size down, using the same air cell. I'd get sized at a dealer, where they can easily order just the vest and move the parts over.

Of course I wonder... are you done dropping weight?

Chad

 

[spschneer]

Just a note of thanks to Scott & the crew at Zeagle...They worked with me and turned out I didn't need the new lower back portion of the BC...couple of (not so obvious) adjustments, tweak here, tug there and it's looking like it should work fine...

Yet another reason to get Zeagle...the folks that sell & support it are the BEST:wave-smil

Steve

 

[ScottZeagle]

I'm glad that we were able to help you out, Steve! The fact that you were local made it a hundred times easier, or course!

Scott

 

[goodeatsfan]

Hi guys, I'm currently facing a similar situation as spschneer. I was looking around the various threads trying to figure out where to look for help. I'm currently in a XL scout. Is it possible to just get a LG sized scout or better yet an escape vest as a replacement?

 

[ScottZeagle]

Have you tried adding a full lumbar pad to it? That may do the trick!!!

 

[goodeatsfan]

with the lumbar pad, when I pull it forward (gently) I've still about 2.5" of slack. I lost quite alot of weight.

 

[ScottZeagle]

Well..................

If you were here, I could probably take a look at it and help you, but since you are overseas, it is a bit more difficult. Maybe you can have a sewing shop do a little customization for you, so that you can pull the straps tighter. If you are willing to replace the vest section anyway, you really have nothing to lose.

Scott