??Attach small weight to bottom of SMB??

[gt2003]

I'm buying a SMB and reel to keep with me at all times. Some SMB's have weight incorporated at the bottom, some don't. The one I'm buying (Blue Reef 6' SMB w/oral or octo inflate w/dump valve) does not have the weight incorporated on the bottom of the SMB. Does anyone attach something like an 8oz or even 1 lb weight to the bottom to better keep it upright at the surface?? Asking for a friend, LOL!

 

[Kharon]

Yep. But only when I'm snorkeling with my wife - to keep track of her. She wanders off so I make her drag a SMB with a pound or two attached to the bottom.

When diving from shore in daylight, especially when the bottom is mud and relatively featureless at safety stop depth, Itake an old SMB with a weighted bottom and partially inflate it and leave it at my exit point.

At the surface I wouldn't bother with a weight as it's easy to keep it upright.

 

[ibj40]

I'm buying a SMB and reel to keep with me at all times. Some SMB's have weight incorporated at the bottom, some don't. The one I'm buying (Blue Reef 6' SMB w/oral or octo inflate w/dump valve) does not have the weight incorporated on the bottom of the SMB. Does anyone attach something like an 8oz or even 1 lb weight to the bottom to better keep it upright at the surface?? Asking for a friend, LOL!

Just remember that when you launch it from depth, your buoyancy will change, as the weight goes up with the SMB.

What I try to do when I launch mine, in order to keep it upright at the surface, is to keep some tension on the string, reeling in as I ascend. It surprises me when I see dive guides launch them, and you look up, and they are just laying on the surface.

 

[JamesBon92007]

Mine has a weight built-in which helps keep it vertical, of course. If it was mine I'd probably add a weight just like you said.