3 atm float

  • If you look at the PSI it inflates to it is only a 2 atmosphere float. Inflation is set for 30 PSI.
    1ATM=14.7PSI=1Bar It would have to be inflated to 45 PSI to be a true 3 atm floati. But they make 60 L sizes which will float 60 Kilos=132 lbs minus the weight of the float at sea level. That is a lot of floatation but would that be enough or maybe too much without a bungee for pelagics?

  • If you look at the PSI it inflates to it is only a 2 atmosphere float. Inflation is set for 30 PSI.
    1ATM=14.7PSI=1Bar It would have to be inflated to 45 PSI to be a true 3 atm floati. But they make 60 L sizes which will float 60 Kilos=132 lbs minus the weight of the float at sea level. That is a lot of floatation but would that be enough or maybe too much without a bungee for pelagics?


    It is a marketing gimmick but they arent incorrect with their statement. 30 psi is a gauge pressure which is measured relative to the atmosphere. Meaning that if put in a vacuum the pressure inside the float would read approximately 45 psi. Like you mention it will only maintain max floatation down 66 but this is "technically" an absolute pressure of 3 atm. The surface pressure (air) plus 2 more atm (water).


    While being marketed as 3 atm this float is really in direct competition with the riffe 2 atm float. I also agree this is probably too much lift if not coupled with a bungee or smaller float in front.

  • Yeah the idea would be, a 75 foot bungee, 1 or 2 hard 11L floats, 25ft bungees
    in a dump pouch, rubber banded to one of these, and for the biggest of fish an additional 25ft bungee in a pouch rigged to break away from a foam filled banks board. Possibly a small reel loaded with spectra recessed in a smaller rearmost buoy loaded in the bed of the banks.


    It seems even a set up like mentioned above could prove not enough for a true grander class fish.


    All terminal connections would need to be up to the strain as well.


    What kind of forces are we talking?


    Im thinking a set up for 500+ lbs fish.


    All that would probably pack up smaller than a tuna board or close to it, and be more versatile. The banks board could serve for the odd beach dive, as well as the inflatable or the hard float.


    The cost of alot of riffe stuff imho is inflated to the point that its almost insulting. Some other stuff is worth it but always on the verge of being prohibitive.
    Not many alternatives to their blue water bungee. Except the botha style bungee, and DIY.


    3 of those floats and all riffe gear would set me back an obscene amount, I would like to someday have the requisite equipment to confidently take a shot at a monster, hence all the questions.
    Any input welcome

  • Im more or less in the same boat you are. Im slowly adding to my gear as I venture to more and more extremes. I know you are looking for a compact setup but I am a big fan of the Rob Allen hard floats. They are streamlined, cheap (relatively) and maintain buoyancy.


    I would rig similar to what you describe with 100 ft mainline either 75/25 bungie to float line or 50/50. Its a little cheaper, the float line is a little easier to handle and there is some added abrasion resistance if necessary. Attach all that to a 20L RA hard float then 25' bungie then Riffe 2 atm or some equivalent and continue to daisy chain 2 atm's for the situation at hand. Not cheap! At this point all I have is the float line and a 20L RA. Maybe Santa will drop a 2 atm and some bungee down the chimney.


    I agree with Dan though, the Banks board is nice but not really intended as a large game float.

  • Awesome exactly the input i am looking for.
    The 3atm floats if proven could be a good alternative to the riffe.


    Would it be fair to say the banks might be adapted to fit into the daisy chain, to replace a lifeguard float? Given proper precautions are taken. Wouldn't its platform serve a purpose few other blue water float provide: usable platform for safety gear, flashers, etc


    The cost of the riffe is obscene.


    What I would really hate, is to be the guy who say, I saw my 3 floats be pulled down never to be seen again! Thinking of how much that setup even cost makes me dizzy.


    I do someday hope to swim witha monster and would like the best chance at landing it without bankrupting myself and staying safe as possible.


    Thanks guys! Your input and previous discussions are invaluable.

  • Im thinking of making a sheath for my bungee to protect it from nick, it would be a piece of hollow tubular webbing the would slide over and be secured only at gun end, so the bungee could stretch under it, but grabbing it would also cancel stretch for added control. Letting it slip through hand to end would make it give. Not sure if makes sense
    Has anyone tried it with a riffe bungee?

  • That's cool Dan. Remember that every 10 meters is an increase of one atmosphere. That is a lot of pressure at 60 meters. I don't think an inflatable would suface after that kind of pressure. A 20 liter float would be 10L at 10 meters deep. Then 5L At 20 meters and 2.5 L at 30 meters and .65 L at 50 meters and .32L at 60 meters. That rob allen eventually resurfaced which is good but I dont know if an inflatable by itself would. Was that RA float a single float or did it have others attached to it?

  • I spent months OVERTHINKING this very issue, the entire industry seems geared to making you afraid you will lose a monster fish if you dont spend thousands, I now have been deep sea spearfishing for several months with some success and can seriously say its mostly hype, very few fish can take insane amounts of pressure. Set ups with buoys and secondary buoys are not practical, if you want a serious solution for a monster thats cheep try this, I did but have never used it Amazon.com: SPORTSSTUFF 53-2030 4K Booster Ball for Towables: Sports & Outdoors
    I paid 50 bucks for it, add in two 50 foot ski ropes(4k lb shock load and smotth) and your done for less than a hundred dollars ;)
    But you dont need all this over kill, whenever you dive internationally you can get a few lobster or net end buoys and string them together for very very little.

    A bad day at sea is better than a good day in the boatyard
    George Steele

  • Dude george, what's the inflated dimensions of that float? It appears quite large and I'd think it problematic on a breezy day.


    I notice the float pictured on initial post of this thread is 60L. The only size I see on Neptonics website at this moment is 15L (39 lbs) $155.


    Florida Freedivers has very similar (judging by photo only) 15L float for $89. SpearMaster 15 Liter Inflatable Float
    You could daisy chain three of those together and have more lift for less cost than current price of a Riffe 2ATM.

  • Dude george, what's the inflated dimensions of that float? It appears quite large and I'd think it problematic on a breezy day.


    I notice the float pictured on initial post of this thread is 60L. The only size I see on Neptonics website at this moment is 15L (39 lbs) $155.


    Florida Freedivers has very similar (judging by photo only) 15L float for $89. SpearMaster 15 Liter Inflatable Float
    You could daisy chain three of those together and have more lift for less cost than current price of a Riffe 2ATM.


    It has a lot of resistance on the surface and is big but in the blue that hasn't been a problem for me as we tend to not go 60 miles offshore for monsters in crappy weather :laughing: I haven't used it and probably wont as I bought it when I was still very green and thinking you need a ton of floatation. I know from personal experience that my cheep floats can take on a hard fighting 350 lb fish and my buddy has taken 450 marlin/150 lb tuna often, so I am going more and more simple every time I go out... Truth is you never know when a monster will come along and to gear for that monster every time is just not practical IMO, I always have an extra bungee line onboard though to add an extra float string if the need and opportunity make it necessary. It is more about ease of use and toughness of gear for me personally, and to be honest I fish with a gear Natzi so I dont have a choice either :laughing3:
    A 60 liter float is huge as well...FYI

    A bad day at sea is better than a good day in the boatyard
    George Steele

    Edited once, last by Dude george ().

  • The idea is to have it as a terminal float that deflates for travel. I like the booster ball, is it pressurized?


    While highly improbable, there are PLENTY of reports of fish taking down. 3 float strings, and even tuna boards down never to be seen again.


    I figure if i have been fascinated with the idea of landing a monster fish for as long as I have, and spent as much time and money chasing it, Good enough for 99% of the time, is well not good enough. Since I live and breath for the .5% of time.


    My recent experience of seeing a 35l inflatable crushing like a used candy wrapper on its way to davei jones locker was sobering.


    It will likely be a few years before I get chance to swim in the deepend.


    Im thinking absolute worst case scenario

  • Booster ball then is practical for you, its not small and I carry a portable electric pump with me for it(never used either in a spearing situation) it blows up to 38x28 inchs :@ . It is designed for towing and creating minimal resistance so when I tested it at the beach I did not find it a big problem. It aint small bro and a whale could not take it down or break it :cool2:

    A bad day at sea is better than a good day in the boatyard
    George Steele

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member to leave a comment.