I had a similar problem when I was learning. What I did was to get a bit of rope and tie it to the boom like a harness line and I could make it as long as I wanted. Only used it a couple of times but it gave me the feel of what harness lines were like. Because I was then more used to using the lines, I went out in stronger winds and found I naturally stepped further back on the board and the lines I thought were too short were in fact quite OK. By the way, once you're into the lines, it is a new experience trying to get back out of them when the wind drops but you'll find out yourself what I mean by that. Unless you are out in strong enough winds you can't step back because the sail hasn't got enough power in it to take your weight off the board and onto the mast foot. This is why you can ride a board with your feet right back in the straps, your weight is being carried by the harness onto the mast foot via the mast, so you can put them wherever you like and it won't upset the trim of the board. It has nothing to do with the type or design of the board.

NR said..

KennyK said..
HI,
I am looking to get my first harness and wondering what is the difference, other than the obvious between using a seat or waist harness?
Is one better than the other, or are the intended for two different applications, or maybe just two options for the same purpose coming down to personal preference?
Cheers,
Ken.

"..............
The straps between the legs were never comfortable and wasn't a great look with boardies.
..............."

Really? I thought only kiters cared about stuff like that.
Image is performance, not appearance.

Iceman said..
I had a similar problem when I was learning. What I did was to get a bit of rope and tie it to the boom like a harness line and I could make it as long as I wanted. Only used it a couple of times but it gave me the feel of what harness lines were like. Because I was then more used to using the lines, I went out in stronger winds and found I naturally stepped further back on the board and the lines I thought were too short were in fact quite OK. By the way, once you're into the lines, it is a new experience trying to get back out of them when the wind drops but you'll find out yourself what I mean by that. Unless you are out in strong enough winds you can't step back because the sail hasn't got enough power in it to take your weight off the board and onto the mast foot. This is why you can ride a board with your feet right back in the straps, your weight is being carried by the harness onto the mast foot via the mast, so you can put them wherever you like and it won't upset the trim of the board. It has nothing to do with the type or design of the board.

Good idea, I have cut a couple of pieces of rope, ready for next time I can get out.
Thanks.

I just don't understand sail SUPing... why not windsurf? Keep them separate IMO. You're never going to improve your windsurfing on a SUP... you need footstraps and a proper board that actually gybes and learn to use a harness properly. SUPs are completely different.

EDIT: seat harness fan... hate waist. Love how I can sit in the harness and hang off the boom more with a seat. Feels better too on my weary back.

NotWal said...

Waiting4wind said..

... [with a waist harness] I have better leverage over my sail ...

Minor quibble: Neither seat nor waist has an advantage in leverage. Hook height doesn't matter. All leverage advantage is due to the distance you can stand from your rig and that is dictated by arm length.

It's all inter-related. Waist harness hook sits higher (closer to boom height level), which means the boom is further away from you, providing you with a more upright rig for the same leverage/position.

Not taking away from the fact you need to be able to reach the boom comfortably, your harness hook should be carrying the lions share of the weight, not your arms.

mathew said..

2035 said..
I just don't understand sail SUPing... why not windsurf? Keep them separate IMO. You're never going to improve your windsurfing on a SUP... you need footstraps and a proper board that actually gybes and learn to use a harness properly. SUPs are completely different.

EDIT: seat harness fan... hate waist. Love how I can sit in the harness and hang off the boom more with a seat. Feels better too on my weary back.

This just smacks of egotist elitism. You must be one of those that criticise by saying that a non-planing-gybe, isn't a gybe.

Obviously you have never sup-surf-sailed or even seen Spotty's video of him speedsailing his SUP.

I'm not an egotist... it's just my opinion, which everyone's entitled to. For me, I'd rather ride a surfboard or windsurf... I don't get SUP'ing. Haven't tried it and have no interest in doing so. Why would I SUP, when I can get barreled on my short board, bust the fins out the back of a wave or whack a nice roundhouse cutback? If there's no waves and no wind, I'll go grind some coping at my local bowl. Each to their own. I never criticized anyone for what they do, nor did I pass judgement on anyone... just expressed an opinion... one opinion. Isn't that what a forum is for? If you get your rocks off on SUP'ing then go for it... I'm not stopping you or telling you not to. But you go a head and pass judgement Matt, if it makes you feel better.

Mate, now you will feel the need for speed!!!!
Sorry but if you have a partner, you are going to bore the **** out of them with all your adventures. Happens to all the riders with non-sailing partners. I think my wife is the worst of the lot but just a personal opinion.

Chris 249 said.

It depends what sort of windsurfing you like to do. I'd like a windSUP for stuff like light wind wavesailing, and after over three decades of windsurfing I still find that I can improve my sailing on a One Design that has no straps and would normally be called pretty marginal for gybing.

Sure, we can all find other sports when there's little wind and the waves are small - but sometimes some of us want to windsurf in those conditions. And to be honest, it doesn't read as if you're expressing an opinion - when you say things like "you're never going to improve your windsurfing on a SUP...you need footstraps" it sounds like you're claiming that it's a fact.

it doesn't read as just an opinion... we all know "time on water" plays a big part - low wind or high, straps or none, it is all good and the experience adds up.