I know it has been discussed before, but has anyone come up with a decent/really strong spreader bar for their harnesses?

I killed a NP spreader bar over a few years of hard use, and then replaced it with a NPX setup. Unfortunately the first had its quick release mechanism screw up, and now the replacement has two big cracks in the quick release mechanism. I think I put a huge load through the harness from sailing over powered a lot.

So, has anyone come up with a good solution? Other than me losing weight I want to be able to unhook the bar while still in the harness.

I am thinking of modifying a few clips to connect the dakine setup to my harness. They seem to be common enough, so at least if I break one, I should be able to get a replacement quick enough.

Anyone know of a good way to make a clip meant for two straps work with a single strap?

As an aside, I noticed that Dakine have been sold off from Billabong, and I think that this means their stuff is easier to buy now. Before it was hard to get footstraps, but now they seem to be everywhere.

While I am asking dumb questions, what width do you use for the spreader bars? I have one harness that uses a 10" and the other a 12". Which one should be the right size? Is there going to be a difference?

Last harness thread I saw discussing harnesses (think it was in kite forum?) had a very strong consensus that Dakine bars were thin and breaking or bending too often. I haven't used them so I dunno.
But never had a problem with Severne ones (whatever they are) and agree the NP system is dumb as it breaks and can't be bodgied up or welded if u r desperate.

BUT wider the body, the wider the bar. I just got a Severne harness in XL (largest size) and the bar is too narrow and crushes my muscular frame. Check it in the shop, if the biggest harness has the same bar as the one for skinny types, ask them to swap it

I have the new NP harness which has a fairly heavy duty looking solid aluminum alloy bar.

It has the standard strap fitting with a detachable clip hook on one end. Its suppose to be a quick release but its not really quick, you need to loosen the strap a little to detach the clip hook.

You should be able to use this bar on other harnesses. There's a pic of it on the bottom of the product page.

http://www.npsurf.com/products/harness/windsurfing-harnesses/3d-pro.html

I was going through a Dakine bar every few months at one stage, pretty thin stainless on them.
Now using a FO they seem to use a thicker stainless.
maybe i just sail to much

wow, what length spreaders were you using? I've snapped boom heads but never snapped my spreader. hope not to any time soon either.

Windxtasy said..
Flying objects (what you are calling Severne) do make spreader bars in various widths.

When you buy a harness you can swap spreader bars if need be.

You should use the widest spreader bar you can so there is little webbing between the bar and the harness when it is tightened up. This helps keep the hook down and stops it from riding up.

also enables you to breathe as 40kn makes it into a bloody corset

Ive been using dakines for the last twenty years or so ive welded them up several times each bar but the harness fit me well my welds never break they just go some wear else but this dosnt worry me its better than braking a boom i guess and i do carry a spare bar because it allways breaks on a good day just to **** ya happy days