I've used a waist harness for some years now but recently it was really giving me the, well, you know. After a while it would ride up around your chest and I started to get back pains after an hour or so in the water. I use a life jacket and after landing in the water it would be around your ears and rubbing under your chin. On the whole pretty uncomfortable.
I decided to go back to using an old seat harness I used when learning and what a difference. Comfortable, doesn't move around, easy on the back and even seems to be a little easier on the legs. When I use the life jacket, I tie it to the spreader bar with a little bit of rope and it stays where I want it to be, low down and doing it's job. I always had trouble with the seat harness because it was difficult to hook into and out of especially when I was learning and that was why I went to the waist. Now I run longer lines, 28 inch, and these problems no longer occur and I will probably go for 26 inch lines next time.
I'm not saying for everyone to go out and get a new harness but if you've never tried a seat and you get the chance to try one, you may be surprised at how good they are.

FormulaNova said...

But seat harnesses aren't trendy!

you obviously havnt seen my pink North seat harness!

while I can fit my big beer gut into a waist harness my lard arse hasn't fit in years.

I use an NP pfd with a Da-Kine seat harness, the hook loops through the waist strap on the pfd keeping the harness from riding down and the pfd from riding up, very comfortable.

I decided to be cool, and bought a waist harness, as the seat one reminds me of baby nappies.

Unfortunately, my waist harness constantly slips up to my ribcage, and had to push the boom way too high...and because I'm tall I still hit the waves with my "upper thigh"

To lower the boom, and at the same time ride a bit more above the waves, I had to buy very short harness lines (20").
Just fitted them last week, and these have changed how I sail.
I sail more upright, too close to the rig, have lass flexibility to get the board going, and the rig now feels unstable when going.

I think I would benefit from a seat harness, and going back to the 26" lines.

I like to have a seat when I'm wasted :P

Seat is definitely easier on your back. If you have disc issues its the way to go. When I tried a waist harness I could feel the sideways pressure on my discs. Not good.

One of the best wave/rough water sailors I know only uses a seat.

learned on a chest harness with no spreader bar in 86, 'ouch'. progressed to a waist harness. only tried a seat on one session and then broke the boom from the 'sitting down'. i do think /read seat harnesses are great for general straight line blasting though.

I'm pretty much a beginner and I just became aware that the seat harness I've been using is actually a kite surfing harness.
It's a bit old, it's called the Dakine fusion and it has the roller instead of the hook.
It seems to work pretty good for me, It hooks in right at the navel.
I'm wondering what the difference is between a windsurfing and a kite harness?
I tried the waist harness but it just ends up at my chest no matter how tight I get it. Cribby says you're supposed to keep adjusting it down, constantly. Seems a bit of a PITA to me.

Roar said...

kite harneses tend to have a differned hook - usually flared - they also have a handle on the back so people can hang on to you to stop you getting dragged down the beach across roads and into trees.

Is that what the little handle is for?

Anyway I now use a chest harness. Talk about being alternate in this day and age of discussions of seat and waist harnesses. I used to use a seat harness, a Dakine Surf Seat and it was excellent. I still have it. Now I have a Neil Pryde impact vest harness. It has a higher hook.

I too have back issues and find the impact vest is excellent for keeping my midriff tight and secure. The harness has excellent back support and encourages me not to bend my back inappropriately. Plus it gives floatation when waterstarting.

I don't think NP sells this harness anymore. The bar is attached with a quick release system, similar to the ratchet system used on snow ski boots.

I'm thinking the next time I go sailing I'll give my old Dakine a go again.

Been getting a sore back since about Nov last year. I think it has been caused / aggravated by driving upwind. Don't know if my technique is wrong but I would appreciate suggestions. I tend to move my hands back along the boom and assume a pretty unnatural stance by leaning way forward. Works really well but I have ended up at the physio. Think I will go back to the seat harness.

If your waist harness is slipping up you're not doing it up tight enough. Make sure its wet first so the straps dont stretch while you're out.

I have no problems going from waist to seat depending on the gear Im using and the water Im sailing in.
The problem that most guys have when using a seat is they get into the bad habit of actualy sitting in it rather than keeping there guts up so that when they go to a waist harness they do what they always do and drop there bum and the harness rides up.
You dont need to do a waist harness up tight you just need the correct technique.