When your Harness Breaks...

dcharlton · Joined: 24 Apr 2002 Posts: 414

I had a great time sailing Aruba a couple weeks ago but about a mile out in offshore winds, my harness hook snapped off.

I tried to muscle it in but my arms just got too burned out and I had to swim my rig back for a mile for 40 minutes.

While I was pretty ticked off during the one arm stroke one arm rig holding, all I could think afterward was how lucky I was to have this happen in 70 degree Aruba water and not Kalmus or West Dennis in 40-50 degree April/May conditions.

Does anyone have any tips/jerry rig solutions for a quick fix back in incase this happens again?

hilton08 · Joined: 02 Apr 2000 Posts: 506

Just be thankful you didnt break a mast. At least you could sail part of the way back.

isobars · Joined: 12 Dec 1999 Posts: 20935

I swim hundreds of yards quite often, half a mile way too often, and close to a mile a couple-three times a year. Tips:
1. Conditioning.
2. Side stroke; one hand on gear, other arm and legs doin the side stroke.
3. Lie on back, both calves resting on board nose, and back stroke with both arms in unison (the inverted breast stroke.)

That . . . or tie/strap/snag your harness to the boom somehow and pray.

Mike \m/

carl · Joined: 25 Feb 1997 Posts: 2674 Location: SF bay area

Note to LeeD: Although moving the foot forward would help, I dont think its a good idea to loosen the mast foot a mile offshore, in chop.

As for sailing without the hook: sail with your arms fully extended, you wont use the muscles so much. As LeeD said, slogging upwind may be easier, bury the windward rail.

Also a good idea to replace the spreader bar hook every few years, especially if you sail salt water, they corrode. Theyre not that expensive, cheep insurance.

coachg · Joined: 10 Sep 2000 Posts: 3550

Move forward out of the straps as Lee said, but also leave your front hand on the mast below the boom and use your back hand to feather the sail. Dont put both hands on the boom! You want to minimize the power in the sail. Keeping your front hand on the mast will reduce the strain on your arms.

Coachg

dougal · Joined: 16 Mar 2003 Posts: 32

just curius what you were doing a mile offshore in Aruba? in those conditions, is it any different 100 yds offshore?

duracell · Joined: 06 Oct 2015 Posts: 109

Dont know what the regular conditions are where you were surfing. Here we have either strong offshore winds or light to medium onshore ones. While sailing the offshore winds I ALWAYS make sure I use my newest (if not brand new) stuff like: harness lines, harness seat / hook, mastfoot, all lines, safe boom/mast, screws etc..

dcharlton · Joined: 24 Apr 2002 Posts: 414

Thank you all for the advice. Hopefully, I wont have to put it into practice but its good to have some options.

Much appreciated!

isobars · Joined: 12 Dec 1999 Posts: 20935

Ive seen numerous new unis fail on their first day, even in their first 100 meters. Ive seen two new masts snap in their first reach, and two boards fail in their first reach.

Offshore-wind sailing is risky business.

Mike \m/

prev1 · Joined: 06 Jul 2000 Posts: 66

If you had a spare piece of rope, you could have tied yourself to the boom once under way. I carry one wraped around my boom pad and one in the pocket of my harness. I have used it two times when my harness line failed. Regarding gear failure, it happens even when new.