I know they all slip up, but which model have you found best and why?

I have a flying objects, and its reasonable good, spreader bar could be a bit wider, but I got a cheapie, so for what it cost, its been pretty good. But wondering what people are using and why they chose it?

Cheers.

K

Pic unrelated.

I have only had 3 harnesses over the last 10 years.
A dakine surf seat which I thought was great then 5 years on a Pro Limit Rambler seat for slalom speed.
This year I decided to get back in the waves a bit more and went on a Guy Cribb course.
His advice was a waist harness around the hips with a longer bar that you could lock in buckle to buckle (no webbing showing).
I bought a Flying Objects Contour waist and was able to get a 30cm bar. I took out the quick release hook and just thread the webbing directly through the bar. It means that I have to step in/out of the harness but allows a really snug fit.
The hook sits at bellybutton height and barely rides up.
It is harder on the abs and back than the seat but I now use it for all my sailing including big sails and speed sailing. It makes transitions (hook in/out) so much easier than a seat harness and feels like it allows better trim of the board/sail.

Great Harness for me but I think it is all about finding the right fit. I definitely can recommend a wider than normal bar.

Mystic Warrior

Love it, never slips, doesn't crush your rib cage, really comfortable!

Go to a shop and try on as many as they have. There is a wide range and that is because people come in all shapes and sizes. No one harness is best for everybody. Even in the flying objects waist harness range there are a number of models.
Choose a size which has the minimum of webbing showing when done up snugly. Hook in using the harness loop at the shop and put weight in the harness to check for riding up and comfort around the ribs.

I find they only slip if trawling/sub-planing.

K Dog said...
Usually happens once its wet and I water start or beach start, the leg movement pushes it up......

That's why I use a seat but even that moves up a bit..I can't believe how snug you can get modern harness's to fit! New one has made a hell of a difference to my sailing and back!

I was sold an ION waist harness when I bought my first kit, slipped up so much it was a chest harness. It also had a kitesurfing hook, which widens at the end.
I would recommend Not using these, as a few times, I was caught under the sail, hooked in.
A twisted harness line doesn't slide off kite hooks, like a windsurf hook allows.

Anyway, I recently bought the T5 also and it hasn't ridden up at all, in 10 sessions. Very happy!

My thoughts are if you use very long lines as is the current fashion on a waist harness and try to drop your arse to get more down force and compensate for those extra long lines its probably not going to matter which brand of harness you use, they will all want to slip up.

Im old school 5' 10" tall and use 26 " lines on the waist harness and never have had the issue as I sail with my guts up and and keep my stomach muscles tight as Peter Hart recommends.

I have read somewhere that if you follow the Cribby theory that you will be constantly pushing your waist harness down anyway.

Im not saying dont follow the current trend as it obviously works for a lot of people but i also know of some very good wave sailors and slalom sailors that are not going super long on there lines.

I know I have probably gone of the topic a bit and in know way am I criticizing Guy Cribs techniques and teachings as I would not be qualified to do that.

sideskirt said...
If you have a beer belly, then just fix it under it...wont slip at all... works for me haha

Thats what Guy said..