sboardcrazy said...

I have adjustable lines from 24 - 30 inches & I feel the 24 inch is too long.Ive moved them apart to try & compensate but I really want to be able to have them a hands width apart as suggested.I raised my boom a bit too ( chin height..? ) but don't want it too high as i have a seat harness..Im 5.6 .( sorry no metric).
I cant seem to use my weight or pull against the harness easily with them the length they are.

It would seem with a high boom, short lines, and a low harness hook height (short person) then your weight is being pulled towards the boom, as you have no leverage over the power in the sail. Make them longer.

I dont have any pull on my arms it just feels like I would like to be able to pull in on the sail more but I feel that the harness lines are too long so I cant. Upwind I dont seem too bad but as I go off the wind to a closereach or more it doesnt feel like I can use my weight..?Maybe the wind wasnt strong enough..?

Pretty simple..Ill give it a go..thats the first thing i would have done in days gone by..I think Im getting bamboozled by theory..

Hi Sue
I am the same height as you and use 26" lines. Boom between shoulder and chin height. Lines about 6" apart. Seat harness.
That works well for slalom but I feel with these fsw boards I have been trialling where a more upright stance is required I am using my arms too much.
I guess I should raise the boom a bit for these boards.

Windxtasy said...

Hi Sue
I am the same height as you and use 26" lines. Boom between shoulder and chin height. Lines about 6" apart. Seat harness.
That works well for slalom but I feel with these fsw boards I have been trialling where a more upright stance is required I am using my arms too much.
I guess I should raise the boom a bit for these boards.

One of the reasons I feel my lines are too long is that if I set them at 6 inches apart they are a lot longer than the length of my arm from a closed fist to the elbow..?

and a whole variety of topics:

www.guycribb.com/windsurfing_technique_holiday_DVD_0076v01.htm

That stance link from Leech shows what I meant pretty well. It's quite common if you use shorter lines to bend your knees and arms and crouch down into the harness. Although this gets your weight in the harness you are often forcing things too much, leaning the rig over and killing some of the power. It's harder work as well.

You should be leaning out more than down... this still gives you a lot of control of the sail (more infact as you use the weight of your upper body as well).
Next time your out in lighter winds try focus on getting the rig as upright as possible by lengthening your arms and legs and putting your shoulder back..

Revhead said...

I'm average height for a short person, and my arms are exactly the right length, they just reach my hands.

I sail a variety of board types and the harness lines are relatively long. I am 5'6" or 167cm and 67kgs.

Formula, Boom Height is forehead or higher. Use adjustable harness lines 22"-26". Mostly use around 24" for upwind and 26" downwind. From what I understand from my taller competitors they use around the same length?

Slalom / Speed, Boom again around forehead height. I use adjustable 26"-32" harness lines and also fixed 26" lines as well. Mostly use the harness lines around the 28" setting.

I don't believe that shorter people really need shorter lines. You need to adjust the boom and stance to make it work.

Horses for courses
Just like sails, boards, masts, harnesses... how it works and feels to you is in my opinion the most critical aspect of any purchase/usage/ownership.

What feels comfortable and works for you may not always measure up against expert advice/opinion but in the end the focus should be on your enjoyment level so you get the maximum value out of your limited time on the water.

Try and test out a few different harness line lengths. If you're pretty new to the sport, try some adjustable lines (flame suit on)
OK adjustables aren't the best lines on the market BUT they will provide you with an opportunity to experiment with different lengths to determine what works best for you.

As for a formula that determines harness length based on height, imo it's a square peg round hole concept.
I think if people post their heights, harness type and lengths the defining factor will most likley come down to comfort/usability ?

At 6'4" I use 20 inch lines with a waist harness... having just made the jump down from 18"s a few years back.

Borrowing a line from the Blues Brothers movie 'If the Sh8t fits.. wear it'

Kev