Optima Trim

Tecdiverfl

I have about 60 dives on my unit and I still can't get it trimmed out right. I am using 2 faber 13's with an aluminum plate with wreck wings. I am usually in a wet suite and have 2 2lbs weights in the pockets. It seems the unit is still bottom heavy. I am considering adding another 2 lbs to the pockets or even switch to a transpac. Any one using the faber LP 13's and have this problem??

Thanks
Marty

n2diving

Switch to Aluminum 13's... If you want, come by the shop and I'll loan you a pair of mine to try.

With AL13's, assuming you maintain correct counterlung volume, In a 3ml wetsuit you won't really need any weight with a bailout, but put two pounds in the right canister pocket, maybe two in both pockets. In a 5 mil, put two in both pockets, maybe four in the right pocket.

SiscoKid

My self I use 4 lb. each sid on top only, using a 7-5 Henderson, diving 13s Al. This works good for me.

MarcLaukien

I had similar trim problems when I was still using Steel LP 27 tanks. Now I'm using AL 13 tanks with 2x2lbs of trim weight, and my trim is great.

Jerry

Using the Rec wing you can modify the gusset cord just as the Nomad. Shorten the cord so that it stops at the upper 1-inch d-rings and cinch it up a little. This will allow the lower lobes of the wing to fully inflate unimpeded. Also, by restricting the top you force the gas to inflate the lower lobes first; putting the gas where you need it.

Jerry

edasque

With a 3mm Merino long wet suit, at 5'9" and 180lbs, I used 2lbs in each canister pocket with an AL40 sidemounted and AL13 O2/Dil. I was using neutral fins.

With a dry suit, medium undergarments, Steel 27, same sidemounted AL40, neutrally buoyant fins, I have been using 5 pounds in each pockets.

Both trims were OK it seems (might still be a little light in a dry suit and feet heavy) but could use some adjustments. As Mark suggested, CL placement seems critical too.

mattmexico

yo

Go to 13 cft alm tanks, if you need weight use a ss backplate, use a O shaped wing rather then a U shaped wing such as Dive Rite Venture wing ( I had good results with that ) if you can carry a bit extra weight or even need it put 3 - 5 lbs behind your head somewhere with soft ankle weights of bag weights, and if you have the cover on roll left and right or take it off as it can trap air below it.

greetings
Matt

__________________
N 20' 37.617'
W 87' 04.693'
www.andreaswmatthes.com

MarcLaukien

I need some advice here... I rarely dive dry, and never used a dry suit with my Optima so far (I only used a drysuit when I was still diving OC). However, it starts to get cold here in Florida now (please no jokes about what we warm-water wimps in Florida consider "cold"), so I want to dive dry over the winter time.

My current configuration is a 3mm wetsuit, AL-13 tanks, and a plastic BP, with 2x2 lbs of trim weight. This gives me a nearly perfect trim and weighting in salt water. I'm 230lbs, 6'2''. How much weight do you guys suggest to add when I switch to a shell drysuit (DiveRite) with light undergarment (Polartec 200)? I can easily add 5.5 lbs by using a SS BP. How much more (if any) do you think I should add?

diverreb

My guess would be an additional 6 - 8 pounds. SS Backplate & maybe a few extra pounds in the trim pockets or somewhere else on the rig if that makes you trim head down. If you have some of the clip on weights handy you can add or subtract them easily. A lot of us up North also use Ankle weights with our drysuits. There are all kinds of options.....

Richie

Nemo1957

I dive mine dry all the time in fresh water. I have DR suit and use the Primaloft garment so I should need more wgt than you. I am using the steel 27's so figure those into the equation but with a AL plate and 3 pounds in each trim pocket I am perfectly weighted and trimmed.