HARNESS LINE LENGTH and SEAT Harnesses

[mamero]

[mamero]

For those who have already posted their seat harness/harness line stats, Thank you. As a "general" guideline it is very helpful to me and I'm sure to other progressing windsurfers.

If you use a seat harness please continue posting your stats:

Height, (Weight, optional), Harness line length, Sail size.

Thank you.

[swchandler]

"I used to have a seat harness.... It restricts your movements and it doesn't promote an active riding style, which in turn will slow your progress considerably."


I have to call BS on this type of commentary, because it's absolutely untrue. The use of any harness type should be based on comfort, and given the fact that we're all a bit different in our shapes, to include our ability to take the stresses of windsurfing, that should be our true focus in choosing the best product.

In 1987, I went from a chest harness that really killed my back to a seat harness that totally eliminated any discomfort. When waist harnesses came out years later, I thought why should I move from a totally comfortable product to one that could stress out my back again. No thanks. Not only are waist harnesses far more expensive, but one thing that I've noticed is that most folks that use them are quick to take them off after getting off the water. I'm thinking that all the compression needed to keep them in place can be a bit constricting.

Lastly, the idea of the trendy "cool" look is ridiculous and foolish. Just think about young folks that wear their pants down so low that they have a hard time keeping their pants on. Fashion has little to do with comfort and mobility. When windsurfing, I always wear a Gath helmet, regardless of the wind conditions. It gives me the safety I need to feel confident and reasonably protected. If you've ever been hurt and suffered severe head trauma in active sports, you know what I mean.

[adywind]

Dude, thanks a lot! You just made me realize how much Im wasting my time. There are so many better tings to do in life! Good night and good luck!

[Awalkspoiled]

5’11”, 230lb, relatively long arms, sailing since 1980. In flat or choppy water I use a Dakine Reflex after years of using an XTSeat. Both feature fairly low hooks. I use adjustable lines but they’re always pretty long by most people’s standards. Manufacturers differ in how they measure but from the boom to the hook with the lines under tension is 17”, so 34” lines is about right for maximum length (downwind, powered). I shorten them for long beats.

It seems to me that sailing style has the most to do with length preferences. If you sail in a “7” stance with your back lined up with your legs, your hips will be pretty high and very short lines will often work great. I prefer to drive with my legs and keep my upper body more or less vertical, and since I also like my hands just outside the lines - close together - and run my booms up around my eyes, my lines are long. If I’m really overpowered I’ll lower my booms and also shorten my lines. In waves I use a chest harness and very short lines.

[coachg]

Mamero,

My line length with my seat harness won't help as I use adjustable lines when using the seat with my Kona or formula board.

As for a PFD with my waist harness I use the Neil Pryde High Hook PFD. The NP High Hook is designed to fit over a waist harness & works quite well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMW3yiJ3JXY


Coachg

[isobars]

[J64TWB]

5-7, 135 lbs. XT Seat harness, 30" fixed lines, straps way out. Very similar specs to you mamero.

[mamero]

[kmf]

5'6" 155 lbs, XT seat harness, waffling between 26" and 28" mono lines. Gorge sailer, sizes 3.4 to 5.5 sailworks. sailing on a 7'11 custom Open Ocean, 80 ltr. and a 87 ltr RRD FSW board, (2013)

Kmf