Help w/wings setup

[BUDMAN]

please help.


this is not really a tech question but I figured you guys would know better than most.
I just recently switched from a jacket style bc to a transpac setup w/the tec wing. I chose this because my LDS suggested it and I spend most of my time underwater doing photography.

I have 5 dives with this setup and it's great underwater but on the surface it's really squirrely. with my bc I used to just flip on my back for a surface swim or waiting to get back aboard the boat. I can't seem to get the wing to allow the same it seems to want to keep rolling back over.

questions
do I just need more pratice with this setup?
does a backpack / wing setup not work well when on the surface swimming on your back?


by the way I'm using a AL 80 and a 19cf pony for a bailout bottle attached on the tank with the remora setup from Dive Rite.


Thanks for your assistance.

[navyhmc]

The pony is helping to turn you over, try keeping some space/not fully inflated withthe wing-I'm assuming you are using the Rec Wing- while on the sirface if you can. This will help the wing fold a little forward and help keep you on your back. You won't be as high out of the water, but it will help with the roll.

[comet24]

With wings like your diving all the buoyancy is behind you pushing you forward. The Al tank is also buoyant at the end of the dive pushing you forward. A steel tank and/or SS plate will help by putting some weight behind you and pulling you back.

I have also taken an old tank strap and 6 lbs weight and put it on the bottom of a Al tank when I am diving single Al tanks. Make sure it will not come off though.

[Tassie Diver]

When I first got my Transpac, I dived a similar rig, except I had a steel 100cuft tank, instead of aluminium. If all else fails, try a steel tank.

Cheers

TD.

[BUDMAN]

thanks for the input. i'm going to try several of these and see what happens

[BobbyWombat]

XS Scuba makes some nice little weight pockets that you can slide on your existing tank bands. ST has them. Gets some of the weight off your belt, and helps with tipping forward at the surface.

Note, that with this setup this weight will not be ditch-able, so you will still need some ditch weights elsewhere.

[MSilvia]

Originally Posted by BobbyWombat

so you will still need some ditch weights elsewhere.

You MAY need some... if you want ditchable weights.

[BUDMAN]

I ordered the weight pouches for the tank bands this evening. will try them this weekend. thanks for the suggestions.

looking into steel tanks a little pricey have to save up

[navyhmc]

Originally Posted by MSilvia

You MAY need some... if you want ditchable weights.

That's about right. I have a SS BP and double 119's and need no extra weight with a 7mm john and jacket.

[BUDMAN]

just wanted to thank those who gave suggestions on this topic.
tried some of these at Beaver Lake,Ar this weekend on 4 dives and they worked great.
the weight pockets on the tank bands worked amazingly well.
also tried less air in the wings and that was great. was able to roll over on the swim back to shore no problem and trim out real nice at depth.
you guys are good