Just starting to learn to use a waist harness and was wondering what is the best length for my harness lines to be? as the ones I have now (22') seem really short. I do lower my boom to shoulder height. I suppose everyone has then own preference but should I keep trying with the lines I got or go for say 26' lines?
I have only been windsurfing for 10 months now and love it, I can't wait to get a smaller board but now I have a JP Funster 160lt and a 6.5m NP Solo sail.

How tall are you? The longer the better, to a point obviously. I'm about 5'9 and used to sail with 24" lines and was adamant it was the way to go, had to use a boom with 28" lines one day and while it felt weird at first I haven't looked back, i'll probably go 30" next set. The advantage of longer lines is it keeps your rig more upright = more power and you aren't so cramped into the rig.

Obviously with everything in the end comes down to personal preference but I think at 22" they are way too short unless you yourself are super short and is probably hindering your sailing.

I dunno how anyone can hang weight down on the boom in marginal conditions, let alone reach the boom, with longer than 24"

I really don't.

I'm 6 ft and have reasonably long arms and use 24's. My arms are fairly straight when i'm fully powered up. It depends on how far forward (or up towards the boom) your hips are when in position. I recon if had 28's i would look like i was trying to take a crap while sailing just to take the pressure on the lines if using a waist harness. Probably makes a difference how close you run your lines too i would think. I've seen people with their lines up to about 400mm apart where i run mine about 70mm apart which gives you better feel i recon.

get some adjustable lines and play around to see what suits you best

It definitely depends on what sort of sailing u are doin, but 22" (@180cm) are my fav for wavesailing as it allows me to sail overpowered out in the wind and really lean and rest on the gear headin out, then headin in u are still hooked in as u are on the wave ridin upwind or searchin for bearaway! Some lines are different to others as well as a mate bought 22" in another brand and they were closer tro 24" WTF

Mark _australia said...

Seriously I don't get it when all the pro's were on 20 - 22" a few years ago and now long is better and many are going up to 30"

On 24" my arms are almost fully extended and I lose a little early planing or glide thru the lulls ability.

I am a normal 178cm male with normal length arms and normal boom height.

Maybe I am missing something....

More than a few years ago!

It's not that your arms need to get longer, it's your body position that changes when you go to longer lines. Less straight and more slouched, closer to the position you get in when you sail out of the harness.


I can't understand why people want to get locked to the sail.. It's all about freedom! And when you're learning you need as much freedom as possible..



That's Koster who runs looooong lines.. You can see in the video how still his body stays when he rides over the chop at full speed..

http://www.continentseven.com/2010/08/08/double-forward-loop-philip-koster-4/


And below is Laird from like 1990, reckon they are about 30"

I recently bought a set of no name brand with a stainless v clear or rope jammer. So far so good the cleat hasn't let go yet and they can be adjusted easily whilst sailing to suit different conditions and points of sail

Mark _australia said...

Seriously I don't get it when all the pro's were on 20 - 22" a few years ago and now long is better and many are going up to 30"

On 24" my arms are almost fully extended and I lose a little early planing or glide thru the lulls ability.

I am a normal 178cm male with normal length arms and normal boom height.

Maybe I am missing something....

Im with you, 181cm, 24inch mono's
any longer its unco

Been messing with longer lines on both seat and waist harness the last couple of months in both flat and rough water and have found longer 28 plus ok for sailing very broad on flat water. The problem I found with the long lines is my arms tired quickly. Ended up going back to 26 for waist and 28 for seat.
Also I would think that the width of the board may have a bearing on the length of the lines, if you are on a super wide board and want to keep the rig more upright while sailing on the rail longer lines may help.

i am slowly going to longer harness lines - being influenced by those around me and seeing how well they sail on that combo. I have managed to get to 28 inches - although a bit spread out on the boom - so i am in the middle of the extremes

Shorter lines do allow you to lean your weight off the rig and get a really direct feeling of power from the rig - its a feeling i like - but you do end up leaning the rig to windward quite significantly

Looking at the pic of Phillip Koster above - you can see that the rig stays super upright - i have had it explained to me that that is the most efficient geometry for the sail to do its thing.

When you are sailing in performance conditions longer lines give you far more "suspension" and the ability to adjust to sudden gusts - this is super handy when you need to control power and finesse it - see Phillips loops (single or double) to get an idea of what i mean

Phillip is the future and i reckon he is showing the way with his techniques - amazing for a young kid without the 25 years of sailing experience that i have

I am trying to emulate his fwd loop control this summer (with limited success) as his control in the air is just sublime.

Jaeger Stone runs this set up too. Frickin awesome performance level also

whatever length, if it feels good, and you are enjoying yourself, keep using them

Just started running long lines (over 26"), but find myself hooking back in in gybes. Don't no how to stop that. Probably go back to 26".

ikw777 said...

Just started running long lines (over 26"), but find myself hooking back in in gybes. Don't no how to stop that. Probably go back to 26".

Cribby says if you hook in on gybes the rig is too close to your body..maybe you haven't straightened the front arm enough..? ( not that I can talk..just quoting one of the mistakes he shows on his video).

K Dog said...

Okay, for those with long lines, how far apart are they? And hands width or very close?

Approx 2 fists apart, since I went from 26"-28" to 32" lines my speeds have increased as well as my leverage and comfort!

choco said...

K Dog said...

Okay, for those with long lines, how far apart are they? And hands width or very close?

Approx 2 fists apart, since I went from 26"-28" to 32" lines my speeds have increased as well as my leverage and comfort!

right on the spot..yeah I've been thinking about that leverage and comfort and as another guy says it 'upright sail'..