Weight harness recommendations

[Phideaux]

Hi all,
I'm considering getting a weight harness having just embarrassed myself trying out a membrane drysuit/undersuit with Zeagle wing and finding out 12kg is nowhere near enough weight and that the 16kg necessary makes me concerned that (a) it's bloody heavy and (b) a weight belt with this amount feels very insecure and is likely to slip when vertical (head up) at depth.

My questions are: (1) what harness can be put on last - so that I can slip it of and hand it up when returning to a RIB (2) will keep the weight secure when I do my normal 'head down' exploration of knooks and cranies (and yes, I am or used to be a wetsuit diver) (3) is well made and won't come apart at the seams after a couple of seasons.

Regarding question (1) is there a system that has a harness that can be put under the wing harness and then the weight system clipped on afterward? This would give the advantage of the weight being taken by the shoulders and be secure, but also would allow the weight to be removed while in the water and passed into the boat, while still keeping the air/boyancy of the wing. Perhaps the complete harness with weights would be put on first , wing harness on top, but when removing, the weights section could be separated in the water and handed up?

Is this a daft idea? If there isn't something like this, should I design one to try out? Does anyone else have this problem, or should I just get used to a new way of kitting up?

[MartinW]

Originally Posted by Phideaux

Hi all,
I'm considering getting a weight harness having just embarrassed myself trying out a membrane drysuit/undersuit with Zeagle wing and finding out 12kg is nowhere near enough weight and that the 16kg necessary makes me concerned that (a) it's bloody heavy and (b) a weight belt with this amount feels very insecure and is likely to slip when vertical (head up) at depth.

Hey Phideaux. You don't say which Zeagle product you were trying but I think the quick-release weight pouches are available for most of the range. If so the QR pouches will take up to 30lb and another 20lb ballast can be added into fixed pouches depending on the model. That's over 23Kg.

I use a DiveRite Transpac with the weight pouches. I load them once I have the wing on my back and I can remove the weight from the pouches to hand them off if necessary. I have no problems with trim and the weights stay were they are meant to. Is this not an option??

[ardhill]

I use a Bowstone weight harness under my BP harness. The weights slide in and out of the pockets, so easy to hand each up to the RIB and keep the actual harness on.

It seems well made, but don't know how durable it is as I got it earlier this year. Though it has done well so far - no stitching problems nor wear.

Oh yes, I use 16lb of lead in each side and there is no chance of it falling out no matter what shape I am in unless I pull it out.

If you do get one, let me give you a tip: Buy a roll of roofing lead and cut it to the size of your pocket (I Gaffer taped the edges too) and then it isn't bulky, doesn't move about in the harness and you can curve it around your waist.
.

[edward]

The missus and I use Bowstone harnesses. They are excellent - well made, comfortable and you can hand the pouches up no problem when rib diving.

If you do get a problem - one of the stainless steel poppers came adrift on mine due to 'pilot error' (I ran it over with the car.....) - you can mail it back to the manufacturer - who is in the UK - and it will be fixed and returned ASAP. I'd buy one just for that level of service TBH.

[MDS]

I'm using the Northern Diver Weight & Trim Harness, however I took the leg pouches off as were excess to req's

The harness has proved reliable and takes shot weights as well as block weights. The weights are held in a pouch in a pouch and are well velcrosed in!

Don't recommend the Poseidon harness though, used to have one and found it unreliable!

I have found if you can't get a weightbelt to stay on I suggest use a harness - Don't resort to the integrated weights BCD option as more hassle. If you ever need to scuba unit remove and replace the weights still need to be around your waist not in the BCD else you might hit the surface sooner than expected leaving your BCD behind!

Over 2 U

Cheers

M

[Snash]

Originally Posted by ardhill

I use a Bowstone weight harness under my BP harness. The weights slide in and out of the pockets, so easy to hand each up to the RIB and keep the actual harness on.

.

I can thoroughly recommend the Bowstone harness.

Also, you dont actually need to slip the weights out, you can just hand the harness up. Obviously you need to take your tank & scab/ wing off first. But, certainly, I can float very comfortably with the harness on in my dry suit alone. Have to admit though, the first time I tried it I was somewhat nervous and had my buddy prepped to grab me. However, he wasnt needed and floating was no probs.

However, this is no guarantee that it will work for you

Snash

[GLOC]

I think one of the Tricky twins might be selling their harness (Bowstone I think) after getting their weight sorted in Scapa.

PM Tricky or TooTricky and see what they say.

[Richard Mason]

Originally Posted by MDS

I'm using the Northern Diver Weight & Trim Harness, however I took the leg pouches off as were excess to req's

The harness has proved reliable and takes shot weights as well as block weights. The weights are held in a pouch in a pouch and are well velcrosed in!

Don't recommend the Poseidon harness though, used to have one and found it unreliable!

I have found if you can't get a weightbelt to stay on I suggest use a harness - Don't resort to the integrated weights BCD option as more hassle. If you ever need to scuba unit remove and replace the weights still need to be around your waist not in the BCD else you might hit the surface sooner than expected leaving your BCD behind!

Over 2 U

Cheers

M

Seconded. My weight harness - some French made thing - bu99ered if I can remember the brand, is the best thing (apart from the wife) that I ever bought.

It's a good compromise between weightbelt and weight integrated BC. Only thing I might do is fit a crutch strap as it sometimes rides up (or is that down - ends up round my chest anyway) if I invert.

Secondly, if you are using steel cylinder(s) and weight for neutral buoyancy, there is no need to remove the wt belt at the surface (if you have ladder or lift) as you will be positively buoyant with the weights as soon as you hand your cylinder up.

If you need to hand the weights up, keep em in the harness and just undo the waist buckle and one shoulder clip, you can then loop your thumb under the still "intact" shoulder strap to pass it up - you are only lifting the thing by the length of your arm extension and you will have a very firm grip on it, unlike removing the wt bag (from a BC or harness), where you have to fiddle around to both get a grip on it, release it and then pass it up (twice).

Also, and this depends on the model of harness you have, but in some cases, particularly where velcro is involved, repeated use of the quick release mechanism to remove wt pouches can result in the mechanism becoming loose and perhaps result in accidental wt loss during a dive. That's why I either leave the harness on or remove it in it's entirety to hand up to the boat crew.

Richard M

[aqua0]

Originally Posted by Richard Mason

Seconded. My weight harness - some French made thing - bu99ered if I can remember the brand, is the best thing (apart from the wife) that I ever bought.

Is she Ting Tong from Tooting?? or from the Philippines

[Richard Mason]

Originally Posted by aqua0

Is she Ting Tong from Tooting?? or from the Philippines

Tina from Crumpsall actually. And I've been paying for it ever since!!




Richard M.