BP/W setup for a FL T-shirt diver? ? ? ? ?

[mselenaous]

I dive a DSS Kydex plate (very light weight) & harness with just a rash guard in the summer months. I do have shoulder pads on the harness.
My 5 lb steel back plate I loved in California is just overkill weight wise here.

 

[Colliam7]

Been using a back inflate BC (Zeagle Stiletto) and thinking about purchasing a BP/W setup.

If you move from a soft, back-inflate BCD to a SS BP/W, I think you probably won't need any added weight (i.e you can lose the weight you are currently using), with a t-shirt and shorts. I could suggest any one of a number of BPs (Dive Rite, OMS, Zeagle, etc.), but the biggest comment is, go with SS rather than aluminum, given the data you provided. You are currently using 8 lbs, with a slightly 'floaty' BCD. With a SS BP, you probably won't need any weight, or at most 2 lbs.

I fully agree with one comment from another poster on the wing - go minimalist - an 18 pound wing should be fine.

Comfort is a must since I'll often be using without protection. I'm figuring I'd want a back pad and padded straps?

I REALLY don't think you will. Neither of these items is needed, unless you plan to hike 5 miles from your car to the dive site, wearing your scuba unit on your back. Go minimalist - a simple web harness. In the water you won't notice the weight of the unit. If chaffing is any issue, wear a t-shirt.

Not sure which weight pockets, accessory pockets and other accessories to buy.

I would not buy any, to start with. Yes, you give up BCD pockets in the switch to a BP. And, with a t-shirt and shorts, you may not have any pockets. But, try a simple BP, with a one-piece harness, and no accesory pockets, first. See how it works for you, before buying other 'stuff'.

I wore my Halcyon SS plate with standard one piece harness over a T-shirt on Bonaire a couple of years back without issue.

Sounds like a plan for you, as well. I usually do not recommend diving with (only) a t-shirt and board shorts in a coral reef environment, but that is just me. I like exposure suit protection from jellies, coral, etc - not because I have bouyancy issues, but because s**t happens. However, the choice is up to you.

 

[wakerider017]

Thanks for the help guys! Some really valuable info here!

I hear you about the lack of protection provided with a shirt and shorts. I received a couple jelly stings and some nasty scratches last year. It is just convenient and comfortable so I keep doing it anyway. Call me stupid. lol

Still unsure if Stainless or ABS is the better way to go.

 

[BClendening]

I realize I'm a little late and you may have made a decision, but I personally wouldn't worry about padding as an issue. I was worried about that at first when I switched over a few years ago from a SeaQuest Balance to a Halcyon BP/W, but I've never had an issue diving without a shirt or a rash guard. It's still incredibly comfortable and I never have any spots on my back or shoulders that are uncomfortable with the rig.

 

[chrpai]

I've now dived my BP/W without even a t-shirt and I find that the stainless steel backplate and webbing is perfectly comfortable.

So to me, the only question is whether SS is too negative for you.