DSS BP/W recommendation

[pnw_diver]

I'm interested in changing from my back-inflate BC to a BP/W setup for cold water.

Here's what I use now.

7mm 2pc farmer John/Jacket w/hood & gloves and 7mm Bare Ice boots - I am strongly considering going to a drysuit very soon, though I do not know which one I will choose.
Apollo bio-fins
Sequest Black Diamond BC with 10lbs ballast in trim pockets. I do not use the integrated weight pockets.
Weight harness with 27lbs ballast
Apeks TX-50 with Aqualung Titan octo & console.
PST HP 100 tank
I usually (but not always) carry a UK D4 primary light and Ikelite backup light.

I'm a big guy - 6'0" tall and about 285#.

What can you recommend?

 

[cool_hardware52]

I'm interested in changing from my back-inflate BC to a BP/W setup for cold water.

Here's what I use now.

7mm 2pc farmer John/Jacket w/hood & gloves and 7mm Bare Ice boots - I am strongly considering going to a drysuit very soon, though I do not know which one I will choose.
Apollo bio-fins
Sequest Black Diamond BC with 10lbs ballast in trim pockets. I do not use the integrated weight pockets.
Weight harness with 27lbs ballast
Apeks TX-50 with Aqualung Titan octo & console.
PST HP 100 tank
I usually (but not always) carry a UK D4 primary light and Ikelite backup light.

I'm a big guy - 6'0" tall and about 285#.

What can you recommend?

Hi pnw_diver,

At 6 ft you can use either a medium or large back plate. The large plate would be the choice if you are "long waisted".

If looks like you are currently diving with about 39-40 lbs of Ballast, your reg is about -2 lbs and your cylinder is about -2 lbs empty.

Your current BC is very likely ~4 lbs positive due to padding etc.

40-4 =36. I'd estimate your current 7mm suit is about 36 lbs positive.

That makes a LCD 40 a reasonable choice for a wing.

Your rig, i.e. plate, tank, reg and harness will provide about 13 lbs of ballast, when your cylinder is empty and you need ~34-36 lbs.

That makes the 8.1 lbs (per pair) bolt on weights worth consideration.

That makes your rig - 21 with an empty tank and ~-29 when the HP100 is full.

You will need another 12-16 lbs in a belt or harness.

Recap:

Large SS plate
Hogarthian Harness
LCD 40 Wing
(cambands and wedge blocks included)

Optional 8.1 lbs bolt on weights

Tobin

 

[pnw_diver]

Many thanks. I'll be putting in an order shortly.

 

[ScubaDoo67]

Large SS plate
Hogarthian Harness
LCD 40 Wing
(cambands and wedge blocks included)

Optional 8.1 lbs bolt on weights

Tobin - I assume that the above includes all necessary hardware, etc. for assembly?

Also - I'm large in the chest and waist. Is the included 12ft of webbing pretty much a "one size fits all" solution, or would it be advisable to order longer webbing?

 

[cool_hardware52]

Tobin - I assume that the above includes all necessary hardware, etc. for assembly?

Yes, all the required bits are furnished

Also - I'm large in the chest and waist. Is the included 12ft of webbing pretty much a "one size fits all" solution, or would it be advisable to order longer webbing?

12 ft would most likely do the job, as a separate sewn piece is furnish for the crotch strap.

12 ft = 144 inches, even with a ~50" waist that leaves almost 4 ft for each shoulder strap.

Tobin

 

[pnw_diver]

Tobin -

Just received my new BP/W setup via UPS. I haven't put it all together yet (being at work and all), but I'm impressed with the quality of construction. I can't wait to get this thing in the water and try it out!

 

[cool_hardware52]

Tobin -

Just received my new BP/W setup via UPS. I haven't put it all together yet (being at work and all), but I'm impressed with the quality of construction. I can't wait to get this thing in the water and try it out!

Glad to hear the goodies arrived, let me know if you have any questions.

Tobin

 

[pnw_diver]

Finally got a chance to try out the new BP/W. I was quite pleased with the results. I was able to move a lot of weight off my waist (~15 lbs) and I found adjusting my trim to be very easy using the weight plates on the backplate and the 12 lbs of ballast in my harness. I was a bit skeptical about the Hogarthian harness, but I found it to be very comfortable, and even adjusted a tad loose, the backplate/tank stayed where it belonged. I hardly knew it was there, both underwater and during the surface swim.

 

[cool_hardware52]

Finally got a chance to try out the new BP/W. I was quite pleased with the results. I was able to move a lot of weight off my waist (~15 lbs) and I found adjusting my trim to be very easy using the weight plates on the backplate and the 12 lbs of ballast in my harness. I was a bit skeptical about the Hogarthian harness, but I found it to be very comfortable, and even adjusted a tad loose, the backplate/tank stayed where it belonged. I hardly knew it was there, both underwater and during the surface swim.

I'm pleased to hear you are having success with your new gear. Thanks for letting me know.

Tobin

 

[pnw_diver]

Several cold water dives later, I'm still loving the new rig.

I've been thinking about what I'm going to do on tropical dive trips. I prefer to bring most of my own gear.

What I'm thinking is that since most rental tanks are going to be AL-80's, that I can remove the extra weight plates and use the steel backplate as-is. The LCD-40 wing is probably overkill, but I used to dive a BCD with a greater lift, so I can deal with that.

What do you think about that? Large SS BP with no extra weight, LCD-40 wing, and a 3mm wetsuit, probably with a few pounds of extra ballast on the belt. Sound reasonable?