First Timer (UTD Z Wing)

[JamesK]

Well, my UTD Z Wing (20lb) arrived Monday, and I was able to get it wet today.

My first impression of the wing is that it is a very well built item. It is very narrow fully inflated, and lies flat on my back when either inflated or deflated. No hunchback effect. I hooked it up to the harness I bought from Capt Tyler, rigged up a couple AL80's and hit the water.

Now, I have never done sidemount properly before. I have jumped in the water with a stage tank only just to check out things below fast, but never drove a true sidemount style setup.

Wear I dove was here of a beach in Cuba. It was in 10 feet of water with a sandy bottom close only about 30 feet off shore. I really liked the feel of it. I was able to video it, and can load that later, although uploading a 5 minute video here could take 5 hours, so who knows. lol.

I felt trimmed out nice, and the video shows that. I do have a lot of work to do, but I have nothing but time here to practice. Some things I learned, my tanks are butt floating even when pumped to 3000 psi. So I need to play with the rigging and d rings a little more. I had the tanks to high up in my arm pits, so I need to push those down my thighs a little more. I also want to tweak the bungee more. Maybe switch to a Dive Rite ring bungee. Hose routing issues need to be worked out. They became apparent immediately. However, I already know what I am going to do about that.

Other than those issues, it felt great! It was very liberating not having the tank(s) stuck to my back. I felt so much loose and fluid in the water. It was much more comfortable. Once I get the tank placement work out properly, I can possibly see myself not doing backmount to often. I don't plan on doing any backmount diving while I am here so I can work on this.

When I hit the states again I am going to get a setup for steels, and take a class using that. However, for now I think I am going to love figuring this out.

Anyone have any tips on trimming out some AL80s? Clip positioning etc.

Thanks to everyone who helped me out thus far.

[cwswine]

I have been diving that wing for almost a year now and this is what works for me. I weave the side d-rings into the belt slide on both sides and leave a little bit slack in the wing - not much just a little. I put the forward waist belt d-ring between 5 and 6 inches from the back d-ring. The length of the bottom leash on the tanks and including clip in not longer the 4.5 inches and the tanks bands around 4 to 5 inches from the bottom of the tanks. I also adjust the wing so the bottom of the wing is even or little over lapping the top of my back pockets when wearing Levis, this keep the lift low. I also have taken a Xsscuba pocket and put grommet though the strap on the back pocket and attached to the top plate using a book screw. I need about 2lbs of weight up high to trim out using my Mares fins. I also found for fresh water and dual AL80 I can use a couple of 1 1/2 ankle weights in the weight pockets on the back of the wing work perfect for me. If you need additional weight I put some XSscuba pockets on the waist belt behind the wing.

[Greenwood_60]

...my tanks are butt floating even when pumped to 3000 psi. So I need to play with the rigging and d rings a little more.

I would grab 4lbs of lead and attach it to the cam band (on each tank). It should keep the tank butt down the whole dive so you don't have to reclip (more like steel tanks)... or front clip them to start the dive and call it good. I would personally adjust the tanks to work on your harness, rather than your harness to work with your tanks.

I had the tanks to high up in my arm pits, so I need to push those down my thighs a little more. I also want to tweak the bungee more. Maybe switch to a Dive Rite ring bungee.

What kind of a bungee are you using?

Other than those issues, it felt great! It was very liberating not having the tank(s) stuck to my back. I felt so much loose and fluid in the water. It was much more comfortable.

Welcome to the dark side!

[JamesK]

I have been diving that wing for almost a year now and this is what works for me. I weave the side d-rings into the belt slide on both sides and leave a little bit slack in the wing - not much just a little. I put the forward waist belt d-ring between 5 and 6 inches from the back d-ring. The length of the bottom leash on the tanks and including clip in not longer the 4.5 inches and the tanks bands around 4 to 5 inches from the bottom of the tanks. I also adjust the wing so the bottom of the wing is even or little over lapping the top of my back pockets when wearing Levis, this keep the lift low. I also have taken a Xsscuba pocket and put grommet though the strap on the back pocket and attached to the top plate using a book screw. I need about 2lbs of weight up high to trim out using my Mares fins. I also found for fresh water and dual AL80 I can use a couple of 1 1/2 ankle weights in the weight pockets on the back of the wing work perfect for me. If you need additional weight I put some XSscuba pockets on the waist belt behind the wing.

Thanks for the tips. Our harnesses sound like they are set up the same, except I am using a bungee strap that was included with the wing to attach the wing slides in to the dring belt. UTD claimed this gave a little more adjustment to the wing. I am not using any weight at the moment. I am diving a 1 mil in 80+ degree salt water. I have not got the tanks down to a low level yet, but am sure a couple of pounds in the trim pockets should help if need be. I use Jet Fins, and did not feel foot heavy at all. Would you mind taking a pic of how you have that xs pocket rigged up?

From what you say, it looks like I need to re-rig my bottles. I set them up almost like my stage bottles. I have approx 9" from the bottom of the tank to the clip and the leash below the band is only 3 inches. No slack. I am going to try adjusting those two items and see if it helps.

I would grab 4lbs of lead and attach it to the cam band (on each tank). It should keep the tank butt down the whole dive so you don't have to reclip (more like steel tanks)... or front clip them to start the dive and call it good. I would personally adjust the tanks to work on your harness, rather than your harness to work with your tanks.

I have thought about weight. I am not sure I want to try adding more weight to the system yet. I also am not using cam bands, and am using clamps, so I would need a cam band to add the weight. I will try the front clip trick though right from the beginning. If that does not work, I will give some weight a try.

What kind of a bungee are you using?

I am using a piece that I got from West Marine. I have approx 4 feet of it. It is 1/4" I believe. It seems to hold the tanks in, but I need to play with the length of it I think. I have it connected to a bolt snap on each end and then on to the dring. I can take pics tomorrow of the setup if that helps. Pics don't take to long to load. Have you ever tried the ring bungees? I have everything I need to build them. I will be doing mainly beach entries and walking with the tanks attached seems to be the easiest/best option for me, so I like to be able to clip the tanks to a hard point for transport.

Welcome to the dark side!

Thanks!!!! I don't know why I did not try this sooner!!!!