What length harness lines should I be using for wave sailing? I'm 6'2, perpetual intermediate, absolutely love wave sailing. Been using 32 inches for years, but a pro told me my lines are too short.
I don't think 32" is short, it was considered long some time ago. I have the same length. But between brands there is quite some difference (e.g. dakine being shorter then MFC).
Most intermediate wavers are around this length. Some pros have longer (e.g. Pare), some shorter (TT), it all depends on feeling.
I think longer than 32" might be beneficial if you do one handed backloops, other then this I don't know what would be the benefit of going much longer.
You're tall so maybe longer
then if you're barely powered lots of the time you're running the boom higher maybe so yeah longer for sure
Don't listen to the pros! Many don't have the ability to relate to recreational sailors. If your 32" have been working well, stick to it. Otherwise, try a different size and see if you like it more.
180 cm and 34''. I am not jumping though, just an occasional forward every now and then.
20s were on trend back in the day.You had to be committed to catastrophic catapults.
I'm calling shenanigans on this whole long harness line thing. At 180cm with long arms for my height, 26" are borderline too long. Any longer and I have to artificially stick my rear out to load the harness properly, which is uncomfortable for my (healthy) back.
It is the modern wave-sails that calls for longer lines. The modern sails are used more upright, compared in the old days. It is also much more comfortable with longer lines in float and ride conditions.
I'm 175cm and I'm using 34" lines in waves, and adjustable ones at around 32" for slalom and Formula.
Select to expand quotewendell said..
I'm calling shenanigans on this whole long harness line thing. At 180cm with long arms for my height, 26" are borderline too long. Any longer and I have to artificially stick my rear out to load the harness properly, which is uncomfortable for my (healthy) back.
Nah, 26" is very short. It's probably a matter of getting used to the longer lines and you can never go back after. Try 28", then 30".
Anything from 30 to 36 can work. Depends on harness, belly, hook, boom height, stance, shoulders, etc.
A decade ago I was on 26in lines and with all the you tube talk of longer harness lines I went to 30in. Felt like I could hardly reach the boom, now I'm using 32in lines and thinking of getting 34's. I have never seen anything saying how to adjust to longer lines and I can't say how I did it as I eventually just adjusted. My guess is it's all in the body position, this is where the pro's and alike probably just adjust quickly. The difference in using longer harness lines, for me I feel I am staying in the harness longer, off the plane, transistioning on and off the plane, setting up on the wave. This summer I spent a lot of time using a 4.0 and 4.5 which is were I started thinking about 34in lines, in and out of the harness going from 18knts to 28knts.
Everything in life is a trade off. If you want to stay hooked in whilst off the plane and out of the straps, go long. If you want to generate more power into the board to get planing sooner, go short. In my experience, longer lines are also more likely to get snagged on your hook whilst maneuvering. I've been wave sailing since the 90s and I still use 20". Use whatever works for you. Don't follow trends, set them! 
Also the boom height (which should be lowish for wave riding) and the line attachment spread distance will affect the true length of your lines. You can also vary these 2 factors to effectively adjust the line length to suit different conditions.
I have been using 32 inch lines for ages but I use a seat harness with a higher hook than the usual slalom seats ( Severne CMR which I love ), and was sailing in Australia, however.....
I have recently been sailing in higher winds which are more dense in the U.K. and have been using a lower boom which with the 32 inch lines were really too long, so I have 2 booms, one with 32 inch lines and a smaller boom for higher winds with 30 inch lines and at the moment they work great, there will come a day when it gets windier whilst out on the water and I lower my boom and it'll feel weird but until then its all good.
Select to expand quoteMatt UK said..
[...]one with 32 inch lines and a smaller boom for higher winds with 30 inch lines and at the moment they work great, there will come a day when it gets windier whilst out on the water and I lower my boom and it'll feel weird but until then its all good.
Funny I have 30 for 4.7 light to medium winds and 32 for 4.2 medium to strong. Logic would be that the lighter winds force me to get closer to the boom, more upright over the board while stronger winds let me commit and be more outboard.
Yet, I'm often underpowered on 4.2 and have no issues with my lines being too long it's more of a balance thing.
Lots of people on short lines and big sails here so they can plane easily in moderate winds. All big shots on longer lines. Personal thing!
Sailed with 34 inch lines the last couple of days. The jump from 32 to 34 was mostly imperceptible to me, probably because it's such a small percentage change. I mostly noticed an improvement in slogging upwind , able to keep the sail further away from me and twist my body more upwind. I noticed that I was able to keep up with much better sailors who normally slog upwind at much higher angles than I have historically been able to achieve.
Select to expand quotephiln said..
What length harness lines should I be using for wave sailing? I'm 6'2, perpetual intermediate, absolutely love wave sailing. Been using 32 inches for years, but a pro told me my lines are too short.
I'm 6'2 as well using 32 and find them great. Just adjust my boom height by tad up for power or down for control, it gusty winds.
Why not get adjustable and set it to whatever works best for the conditions.
Select to expand quoteGestalt said..
Why not get adjustable and set it to whatever works best for the conditions.
Exactly what I was going to suggest. That way you get exactly what you want. And you can experiment all you like.
