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**keri.lewis** · March 27th, 2008, 04:23 PM

Personal Rig
I was diving in a 3MM wetsuit plus 3MM hooded vest in the tropics for about 3 years. The rig I required for single Al80 tank was:

6lb Steel Plate
STA - Steel
Wing (in my case 30lb Halcyon)
Regs

This has seen me through several hundred dives comfortably. My Wife dives an identical rig - with 4lbs on the belt as she is a little floatier than me.. female v male anatomy etc.

Comments
I am fairly "sinky" and that allowed me to dive without a weightbelt - always a pleasure - and gave good trim. If I were you, and the option to test was there, I would try both the steel plate and the Ally Plate and see how the weight position impacts your trim. I know people that need 8-10lbs on the belt for the same rig if they use an ally plate. This tends to drag the feet down. The option is to put 4-6lbs on the cam-bands of the STA and the rest on the belt - this may help move the centre of gravity back to the right place.

I used to dive an ally plate with Al80s for doubles. That required 3lbs of weight for empty cylinders. I carried the weight on a weightbelt.

The Ally Plate is good for travel - but I prefer the steel for singles.

March 27th, 2008, 04:23 PM	#6 (permalink)
keri.lewis(Offline) DIRX Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Hampshire Posts: 444	Personal Rig I was diving in a 3MM wetsuit plus 3MM hooded vest in the tropics for about 3 years. The rig I required for single Al80 tank was: 6lb Steel Plate STA - Steel Wing (in my case 30lb Halcyon) Regs This has seen me through several hundred dives comfortably. My Wife dives an identical rig - with 4lbs on the belt as she is a little floatier than me.. female v male anatomy etc. Comments I am fairly "sinky" and that allowed me to dive without a weightbelt - always a pleasure - and gave good trim. If I were you, and the option to test was there, I would try both the steel plate and the Ally Plate and see how the weight position impacts your trim. I know people that need 8-10lbs on the belt for the same rig if they use an ally plate. This tends to drag the feet down. The option is to put 4-6lbs on the cam-bands of the STA and the rest on the belt - this may help move the centre of gravity back to the right place. I used to dive an ally plate with Al80s for doubles. That required 3lbs of weight for empty cylinders. I carried the weight on a weightbelt. The Ally Plate is good for travel - but I prefer the steel for singles. __________________ Even a "bad" day diving beats a day in the office... Keri The more I learn.. the more ignorant I realise I am..