SeaQuest weight pockets

[AndyA]

Not long had a new Seaquest Pro XLT and this is a question about the weight pockets. The manual says that each pocket will take 7.2kg but also says that weights should be evenly placed in the 2 sections ie if you need 8kg then 4x1kg in the pockets. In the sea with my clubs buddy I needed 14kg. If I put 7kg in each pocket then the weight in each pocket cannot obviously not be evenly distributed. Is this going to be a problem or are Seaquests guidelines perhaps just an ideal.

[Gav S]

Hi, not sure if I am following you correctly but if you have 7kg in each pocket then they would be evenly distributed, no? Or do you mean you want the weight evenly distributed within the weight pocket?

As a by-the-way, I might be reluctant to put 14kg into integrated weight pockets in a BC, for a few reasons. Although 7kg in each side is "even" it doesn't allow you to fine tune your trim much, also, it'll make your complete scuba unit heavy (i.e. for humping about) and I wonder if that much weight in the pocket might also affect the BC comfort? Certainly I have moved away from using integrated BC weights for these reasons.

Just my thoughts though...

[AndyA]

This is what the manual says

Aqua Lung/SeaQuest recommends that each pouch is loaded with equal
amounts of weight for optimum balance; this will prevent the tendency
to roll to one side during the dive. Also, it is strongly recommended that
each weight pouch is fully loaded with two separate weight blocks for
the standard pouch, or four separate blocks for the large pouch. For
example, if you want to load a standard pouch with 6 pounds, use two
separate 3-pound blocks ; if you want to load a large weight pouch with 12 pounds, use four separate 3-pound blocks.

Now this is fine if you want say 4kg in each pocket but not if you want 5kg.
Just interested in how others get on with these.

[Michelle Haywood]

I have the smaller Aqualung integrated weights, and have 3kg in each side. But I also carry a weight belt with another 4kg on it. I never expect that in an emergency my buddy wil work out the integrated bits, but I anticipate that they will manage the weight belt part and send me up if needed.

I'd echo Gav's thoughts. Too much weight in BCDs can make them difficult to put on, for you and the buddy that helps you.

I would consider putting balanced weight (like the manual says) in the pouches and some on a weight belt too.

If you haven't yet bought weight, go for shot bags rather than blocks. These will dig into you less, and they don't have hard corners that will cause areas of wear to appear. You can buy empty shot bags, and the lead shot separately - so you could make them any weight you want. Bowstone do the bags in 1, 2 or 3kg. So if you were trying for 5kg you could get 2 x 3kg capacity shot bags and just put 2.5kg of lead shot in each.

If you have trouble finding these, please PM me and I will help you out (I have bags in stock).

Michelle

[AndyA]

Thanks, Im ok for weights due to some lucky ebaying, got both solid and shot bags. I usually put the pockets in once the bc is on, they slot in v easy and click nicely into place. At Stoney I put 4x1kg in the pockets and a 1kg block in both of the trim pockets. I dont suppose an extra 1kg bag in each pocket and 2kg blocks in the back would cause any problems in salt water.