Gday,
I have just had my 10th session and loving this sport big lots.Seem my boxing reach has been extended an inch or 2 since starting.I want to know whats a good brand/model of harness for a 100+kg newbie before my knuckles are dragging on the floor haha??

P.S how do I know how long the harness lines need to be?

A rough guide is to grasp the boom with one hand and measure the distance from the boom around your elbow and back to the boom.

The optimum length will vary depending on boom height, harness hook height, level of experience, what type of sailing you do, water state, SO I'd recommend starting with adjustable harness lines until you work out what suits you best.

Beware the length printed on harness lines is not always the length they are. Take a tape measure with you.

as a newbie, and waist harness and adjustable lines as Windxtasy said as you will want them long-ish (like 34 - 36) at the start and will come back to about 30 as you get used to them

I went and purchased a Maui Sails 'Loco' waist harness and i originally started on 22' lines. I am 90kg but like a teapot - shorrt and stout.
Recently i upgraded to the 24' lines and have raised my boom to head hight to accomodate for this and to increase the pressure in the sail.
With the boom at this hight am finding i'mnot falling off the harness lines as much anymore and feel confident to fully commit to the harness and even sail 1 handed (for a short time )
You want something that is comfy and allows you to have 'piano fingers' on the boom. thats what i as told anyway.

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mybrosweeper said...

P.S how do I know how long the harness lines need to be?

As a beginner too I have finally just given up and figured it's constantly evolving, when one finally gets comfortable slogging about harnessed in one soon discovers that the harness lines need to be shorter when planning and the rig is raked back.

Good question Ian! I'm in the same boat. Adjustable sounds like a good idea, but buggered if I'd know.

Keen as to try a harness too, bit over the super stretched arms in anything over 12 knots (Thanks AJEaster for helping with the harness mate. I owe you one) Now keen to get some harness lines sorted so I too can get thrown over the sail. Get the popcorn and camera ready for that one...

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Mark _australia said...

as a newbie, and waist harness and adjustable lines as Windxtasy said as you will want them long-ish (like 34 - 36) at the start and will come back to about 30 as you get used to them

34-36 is pretty long. Most adjustables are in the 24-28 range. I'd be starting with adjustables and setting them for easy comfortable hook in.

Dakine T3/T4/T5 their all kid of the same but their amazing harnesses. So comfy and mine doesn't ride up unless I crash. I still have my 3 year old T3 because I can't find anything comfy to replace it with plus the sliding bar is really useful. New Ion's where quite comfy in the shop but really heavy compared to the Dakine.Got to large windsurfing mates (over 100kg, one tall one short) and they both like their T5's for fit. best bet is to try heaps before you buy because I think harnesses are different for different people like I can't wear NP harnesses they ride up and feel horrible but a mate of mine loves his.

In my experience if you start setting up your harness lines for being comfortable while slogging, you will find it hard to get on the straps once you start planing. There should be no need to hook up before planing. Follow Guy Cribbs tips for positioning the lines and length, just look on the web. A waist harness is easier to get used to, but i found a seat harness helped me to get on the straps. Once you are hooked the first few times you will be pulled over, make sure to keep your front foot pointing forward and redirect the force that is pulling you onto that.
Good luck !

You have been out 10 times more than me in the last month.

Get a harness it is all 100 times easier with a harness. Not only in strength but also in balance and control.

Get a waist harness - any make, any model, so long as it is comfortable and doesn't slip about too much.

I know people will disagree with me, but you should only get a seat if you are sailing very fast with big slalom / speed sails or you are as fat as me and have no waist. Even then, I went back to my waist harness before Christmas and I doubt I'll put a seat harness on again for a long time.

Go to a shop and try some on. Any shop will have lines set up from a doorway or wall or something, so you try the harness on, hook in, lay back and see if it is comfy. Just remember what you wear in the shop isn't what you wear on the water, so add a bit of adjustment for a wetsuit / take some off for your big raincoat no doubt you are wearing at the moment. A seat harness might seem comfy in the shop, but get a waist harness.

I reckon you need 28 or 30 inch lines to start with, adjustable is a good idea, so long as you aren't permanently adjusting them. Go with 28 for five sessions, then try changing.

Go the 1/3rd rule as well. Get a bungy strap, mark 1/3 on it, put one end on the boom clamp, the other in the clew hole and pull the bungy out to touch the boom at the 1/3 mark on the bungy (or do the same thing with two people and a tape measure). This is where the BACK harness line goes. The front goes one fist width further forward. Don't change this position for five sessions, or you will never get it right and you will be forever fiddling with it.

And - for me, I get in the harness all the time, slogging or crusing. I don't think it is so much about arm strength as balance. For me it just sets the balance of everything right. There is probably bugger all weight on the lines when I am sloggin, but I am still hooked in. After a bit of practise hooking in and out takes 0.1 seconds and you don't have to look at anything to do it, so why not be hooked in (unless you are jibing or believe you are about to stack it)


And - have you sussed out beach and waterstarts yet ?

The key is in mast foot pressure - start with the nose of the board pointing dead into the wind and you back foot on the board - push down on the mast through the boom to push the nose through the wind - as you get 90 degrees to the wind pull your back foot in and under your arse and stand up vertically. Don't just think the rig pulls you up sideways. Keep you front foot off the board and in the water until you are 75% of the way stood up. Your front leg is good for nothing while waterstarting, except maybe kicking if you aren't using mast foot pressure correctly or you aren't pulling your back foot under your arse enough.

Once you can do it like that you can waterstart with both feet in the straps, clew first, in the impact zone. Beats trying to uphaul clew first, in the impact zone.

thanks for the input people.I have a massive learning curve infront of me!

anyone know of a windsurfing shop on the Mid North Coast of NSW where I can try some different brands of harnessess?
The Dakine T4 is looking the goods and will probley have to buy on-line without testing.
your thoughts please?

Hey mate,

Does Mark J have any at his shop in Port Macquarie? Might be worth a call.

thought of that,just dont think he has much variety in stock

id definitely get a seat harness everything is harder in the waist harness especially up wind and for most people it just seems to be a constant battle of stopping it sliding up . it seems to me the lower the hook is the easyer and faster i sail , harness length is what ever is comfortable id definitely recommend the adjustable ones a small change in length can make a big difference . Harness line positions is where ever it balances , it depends mostly on how you have the sail rigged just play around with it untill its rite.

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Simon100 said...

id definitely get a seat harness everything is harder in the waist harness especially up wind and for most people it just seems to be a constant battle of stopping it sliding up . it seems to me the lower the hook is the easyer and faster i sail , harness length is what ever is comfortable id definitely recommend the adjustable ones a small change in length can make a big difference . Harness line positions is where ever it balances , it depends mostly on how you have the sail rigged just play around with it untill its rite.

Thanks Simon,but Im thinking about the waist harness,because when I get my poo together I am going to get into the waves, so Iam told that seat harnessess are not to be mixed with waves but the adjustable lines seem to be the go,
cheers ears

To throw the cat among the pidgeons I currently use a chest harness. Its a Neil Pryde impact vest. Its not too bad at all. Has the hook a bit above my belly and it keeps your torso well supported. The bar is connected to the harness with a quick release ratchet system, similar to ski boot bindings. It provides a bit of floatation which helps waterstarting.


Prior to this I used an old Da Kine surf seat harness. It isn't too bad to use either but the hook is lower.

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Thanks Simon,but Im thinking about the waist harness,because when I get my poo together I am going to get into the waves, so Iam told that seat harnessess are not to be mixed with waves but the adjustable lines seem to be the go,
cheers ears

I don't think that's true.

Also, your first harness will likely be worn out buy the time you're getting into waves.

Welcome to the never-ending equipment treadmill.

100+kg w/surfer here, I have (and have had since I started) a NP waist harness (the orange one?) & it's been great. The back support is very good and the quick release clip system is simple & effective, although I have a feeling that they've changed it over the past couple of years.

as a 100+ kilo guy - i never found a decent waist to fit
glad to know the NP fits :-)

I am pretty new to wind surfing and at the moment am trying to get my feet in the straps. I have a North waist harness but on my last sailing day I tried a seat harness from a friend. The seat harness was more comfortable, didn't ride up or come loose like the waist harness does. It also made it easier to get my feat near the straps (not quite the back foot in yet). I could feel more weight on the harness lines. I could also sail upwind a lot better. I also have adjustable lines.

I would recomend a seat harness and adjustable lines. The seat harness also lets you wear a PFD for when you are learning to water start.

thanks for the feedback people,especially from the 100+kg brothers.
I am still a bit confused re: waist V seat harness when I am getting into the waves.I have already been cracking a few ankle slappers (small waves),making SOME gybes and tacks.So wave sailing waist V seat?
your thought are very much appreciated!!

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mybrosweeper said...

thanks for the feedback people,especially from the 100+kg brothers.
I am still a bit confused re: waist V seat harness when I am getting into the waves.I have already been cracking a few ankle slappers (small waves),making SOME gybes and tacks.So wave sailing waist V seat?
your thought are very much appreciated!!

hey Ian,

Given your surfing background, and the fact that you (and Phil) are already sailing in open water and surf, I would say go the waist harness. A waist harness will allow you to flex your hips more than a seat harness for foot steering and redistributing your weight in the surf, and it also promotes a more upright sailing position which is advantageous for surf sailing and changing direct quickly on a wave. If your goal was to max your speed I would say go the seat, but I think you are more about ripping the lids off a few, so go the waist harness.......My 2cents. Hope to get up there and sail off the wall with you two soon. Regards, Adam

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AJEaster said...

mybrosweeper said...

thanks for the feedback people,especially from the 100+kg brothers.
I am still a bit confused re: waist V seat harness when I am getting into the waves.I have already been cracking a few ankle slappers (small waves),making SOME gybes and tacks.So wave sailing waist V seat?
your thought are very much appreciated!!

hey Ian,

Given your surfing background, and the fact that you (and Phil) are already sailing in open water and surf, I would say go the waist harness. A waist harness will allow you to flex your hips more than a seat harness for foot steering and redistributing your weight in the surf, and it also promotes a more upright sailing position which is advantageous for surf sailing and changing direct quickly on a wave. If your goal was to max your speed I would say go the seat, but I think you are more about ripping the lids off a few, so go the waist harness.......My 2cents. Hope to get up there and sail off the wall with you two soon. Regards, Adam

+1 for all that. Well put.

I went from a waist harness to a seat harness recently and I don't think I'll ever go back. However, I ride flatwater and hooking in and out is no problem for me. As a learner, the waist is probably better but please, please get one that doesn't ride up. That was the main beef I had with my old harness and it really is a pain. Don't forget, once you are on the board and hanging on there is no way you can re-adjust the harness and pull it down and a badly fitting one can make your life miserable.

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rustle said...

AJEaster said...
Given your surfing background, and the fact that you (and Phil) are already sailing in open water and surf, I would say go the waist harness. A waist harness will allow you to flex your hips more than a seat harness for foot steering and redistributing your weight in the surf, and it also promotes a more upright sailing position which is advantageous for surf sailing and changing direct quickly on a wave. If your goal was to max your speed I would say go the seat, but I think you are more about ripping the lids off a few, so go the waist harness.......My 2cents. Hope to get up there and sail off the wall with you two soon. Regards, Adam

+1 for all that. Well put.

And another +1.

Waist harness... I've sailed Dakine, North and Flying Objects. They're all different but all do the same job. My latest harness is a Flying Objects simply because I objected to forking out $220 for a DaKine and then another $40 for the bar.

Settled then,waist harness it is.Hey Adam I am rally hanging to sail with some guys who know their stuff.I am more of a visual learner than reading stuff.Hope Phils got your number,cause they are calling for nice NE wind this w/end, yewwwwwwww

thanks for all your input people

Little skinny pro waveriders are v shaped so the waist harness cannot ride up.
If you have any kind of belly you will have a hard time getting comfortable as the waist harness will always be trying to slip upward.
In the real world most sailors I see are in a seat harness.
TBS, you'll be better off if you can pull it off in a waist harness.