
This continues from the section on Modifying AP Valve style SMB's. This type of modification uses a loop of bungee to hold everthing in place when stored, which still has the scope to catch things, but far less than the majority of SMB's available. One benefit of the bungee is that in rough water conditions it can remove some of the jolting of the line by acting as a spring.
For reference the SMB being modified is an "Aquatec JR Tec Diver SMB". This is not a self sealing design unfortunately, but uses a restrictor in the body further supplemented by a narrow mouth. Removing the narrow mouth as shown may require a little bit of extra skill to deploy it without it losing gas. The narrow mouth makes it difficult to deploy without assistance...just a note of warning before you start cutting.
Modifying Other Style SMB's1. Decide where you want to place the eyelit. See which way the SMB naturally rolls up. The eyelit should be on the outside, 2-3" up from the mouth, in the middle. 2. Remove any extraneous parts which you don't want. 3. Glue a small piece of webbing to the inside of the SMB to strengthen the hole you will make, using a proprietary glue for marine use. Remember to melt the edges of the webbing you have cut to stop them unravelling before you glue it. 4. Burn a hole in the webbing large enough to take an eyelet. You can use either a soldering iron or a hot screwdriver etc. 4. Put an eyelit in the hole to strengthen it. Make sure you use marine grade eyelits from a boat Chandlers (Stainless steel/Brass). 5. Attach a Bolt snap to the SMB using bungee and a fisherman's knot. The bungee loop should be tight enough to hold the SMB when stored. The diagram shows the knot before it is tightened. Feed the bungee throught the bolt snap head and then through the eyelit twice before tying half a reef knot on either side and pull tight. 7. Wash down the SMBwith warm soapy water and rinse thoroughly. When dry further wash with methylated spirit. 8. Mark the smb with a proprietary waterproof tape such as "Duck" Tape. This should last for at least a season, longer if the SMB is brand new when the tape is applied. If you find that the tape doesn't stick for very long, you can try acetone instead of methylated spirit, but be careful, it may damage the SMB! If you have problems getting hold of tape, click here for links to suppliers.
9. The final product, stored and ready for use.
![]() |
|
|
Hit
Counter Complements of http://www.digits.com.
|
|
Diving can be
a hazardous sport and the information contained within this site is
not intended to replace formal training. |
|
© Copyright H Beasley 04 August 2002