Adjustable Harness Lines

mamero · Joined: 25 Aug 2013 Posts: 380 Location: Vancouver, Canada

I have Chinook In-Flight adjustable harness lines that came with a boom I bought. They are in reasonable condition. I would like to start using them so I can dial in my best harness line length but have some questions first.

1. Does the adjustable side of the line (with the buckle) get attached at the front toward the head of the boom or back toward the clew?

2. What is the "Correct" way to tie the rope on the non-adjustable side of the harness line. This rope attachment is used on MANY different harness lines from DaKine to Chinook but I have yet to find documentation on the correct way to tie them so they don't sag or slip.

3. What is a good starting point for harness line length? I realize this question has probably been asked to death but I will ask anyway. I'm not looking for specific measurements as everyone is built different. If you place you elbow inside the loop how do you measure? Boom at wrist? Boom at open palm? Hand wrapped around boom? Boom in the "pit" between your thumb and first finger? Boom at some part of a finger?

Thanks.

bred2shred · Joined: 02 May 2000 Posts: 989 Location: Jersey Shore

1) Adjustment towards the aft end of the boom.

2) Not easy to describe the tie off, but generally it involves routing the line around the webbing strap and then back over itself to lock in place. I typically tie an overhand knot in the end of the line after that so that if it does slip, it won't go far.

3) The whole point of adjustable lines is so that you're not locked into any one specific length. Seems like many people don't understand this, but the idea is that these lines allow for adjustment while fully powered up, hooked in, and sailing. Basically, if you feel like your ass is low and dragging, pull them tighter. If you feel like you're pulled so close to the sail that you're going to be pitched, let them out.

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gvogelsang · Joined: 09 Nov 1988 Posts: 435

I suppose the nice thing about adjustable harness lines is that you can set your boom higher or lower, depending upon conditions, and then adjust the lines so that you are in the right position.

I think the adjustment for boom height is higher to get planing; lower for over-powered conditions. But that might be backward?

adywind · Joined: 08 Jan 2012 Posts: 665

mamero · Joined: 25 Aug 2013 Posts: 380 Location: Vancouver, Canada

Marking 1 or 2 inch increments on the adjustment strap is a good idea. That would give you a quick visual reference when on the water and you can tell if you've slipped at all.

I have not yet tried adjusting these on the fly but they seem like they would be very awkward to adjust. Mine have the plastic buckles and they are very tight. How do you tweak these lines while sailing?

When you buy a set of fixed length lines (24, 26, 32 etc) where are manufactures measuring from?

adywind · Joined: 08 Jan 2012 Posts: 665