So I've just changed my third boom to longer lines, the booms I have cover my 5 sails from 5m to 8.3m.
I had been using 24's but something has changed and they were feeling very uncomfortable so tried some 28's and now have them on all booms and feel great.
The question I cant answer is why the sudden change?
Stance? style? I am carrying about 5kgs more (95kgs) and fitness is down a bit? kited more than I sailed last summer but have got my thirst back to do more sailing after finding a short board that suits local conditions and my ability (90ltr carve)

Could be you are using a higher boom. 26 are perfect length for me,28 inch feel ok but 30 inch are shocking. Little tension on harness,too much on the arms and trying to get upwind was a nightmare. Great for going steep angle off the wind but nothing else!

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pirrad said..
So I've just changed my third boom to longer lines, the booms I have cover my 5 sails from 5m to 8.3m.

I had been using 24's but something has changed and they were feeling very uncomfortable so tried some 28's and now have them on all booms and feel great.

The question I cant answer is why the sudden change?

Stance? style? I am carrying about 5kgs more (95kgs) and fitness is down a bit? kited more than I sailed last summer but have got my thirst back to do more sailing after finding a short board that suits local conditions and my ability (90ltr carve)

Guy Cribb recomended 28's straight up for any and all on his course last year. Was surprised how much better they felt, taking into account his stance recomendations and swinging off the harness lines though hips and arseeee (as he put it) more. Tried one of my older booms with 25's and couldnt get a good rig feel.

His line thing works. using 30's, so much easier. don't know how anyone sails with 22 to 24" lines!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I use 28s for big sails, and 26s for sails 5.5 and down. I often like to set the boom lower when really windy hence the shorter lines.

why doesnt everyone just use adjustable lines i find them very usefull as the conditions change

GEt 36's they are friggen awesome. Space. Time to react. Etc.

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mineral1 said..

Guy Cribb recomended 28's straight up for any and all .

interesting. what was the reason? I've been using 22' with all my sails (3.7 - 6.7) and they feel fine, can't imagine having anything longer but reading the replies here makes me think I am missing something.

I'm 78 kg, and with 22' lines can easily lean out enough to drag my back side through the water so I'm finding it hard to sail anything longer.

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Simon100 said..

why doesnt everyone just use adjustable lines i find them very usefull as the conditions change

Price v's quality v's ease of operation.
Had several types and found them a pain to adjust, the best ones I had were some that I made with a simple clam cleat adjustment.

I lengthened mine a few years ago, although I had tried longer lines a lot earlier than that and didn't like it. Is it a general trend that over time people prefer longer lines? Perhaps a result of improving technique or experience over time?

Don't forget that the type of harness used will also determine length. Waist harnesses sit higher up therefore much closer to the boom so you can use much shorter lines compared to sailing with a seat harness. Also type of sailing i.e. wave sailing v slalom/speed utilise different stances. Wave sailors are more upright and much closer to the boom than slalom sailors who sail further out to maximise leverage. Im not man mountain or ape with long arms but use 30" most of the time but do have 32" lines on my big boom as i usually have my boom sett higher with my big sails.

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gs12 said..
interesting. what was the reason? I've been using 22' with all my sails (3.7 - 6.7) and they feel fine, can't imagine having anything longer but reading the replies here makes me think I am missing something.

I'm 78 kg, and with 22' lines can easily lean out enough to drag my back side through the water so I'm finding it hard to sail anything longer.

I used to be in the same boat as you, I used 22-24" lines. I had heard of the benefits of longer lines, rig much more vertical/efficient, much more space etc etc but was convinced short was the go. Had to use 28"s one day when I borrowed a boom when mine was broken and have never looked back, infinitely better. Sure at first they will feel ridiculous but change and you won't look back; I now run 30"s.

Edit: as above I should note I use a waist harness and 99% wave/freestyle.

I used 28's on a borrowed boom a little while ago and have kept with hem ever since, was using 24's before that.

In saying that I have also found that different brands are different for the same length, DK 26 were the same as NP 28.

every since I first started my lines have always been at least 26-28 range .. it wasn't the boom height if it was it'd be longer .. I guess am just comfortable with it or really have long arms

I've been using 28" for the last 15 years but recently bought a new boom that is narrower in shape than my last and found myself too close to the sail/boom combo (it felt uncomfortable). I only use race sails (cambered) with a seat harness. Santa just delivered some 28-34 adjustable for me to try out so looking forward to results of longer lines (although Santa didn't bring the wind I was also asking for......)

I understand that a wave sailor with a waist/chest harness will have shorter lines but if you guys are using a seat harness on slalom gear do yourself a favour and go longer.
Cheers
Marty

I think harness line are a lot like motorbikes. Every time you get a bigger one, it is initially unnerving, but before long you get comfortable with it, and are ready for the next step up.

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sausage said..

Don't forget that the type of harness used will also determine length. Waist harnesses sit higher up therefore much closer to the boom so you can use much shorter lines compared to sailing with a seat harness. Also type of sailing i.e. wave sailing v slalom/speed utilise different stances. Wave sailors are more upright and much closer to the boom than slalom sailors who sail further out to maximise leverage. Im not man mountain or ape with long arms but use 30" most of the time but do have 32" lines on my big boom as i usually have my boom sett higher with my big sails.

I would agree that different brands have different lengths for the same number.
I would disagree with the Wave / slalom / speed argument. Since doing Cribby's courses I use a waist harness for all and 30 lines too.
www.guycribb.com/userfiles/documents/Tuning-%20long%20lines.pdf
I am only 176cm and 75kg but have found that the waist harness did not need shorter lines for speed sailing if worn correctly. And I have had my fastest overall year in GPSTC since using it.
It is about changing your technique to work with longer lines which has definite benefits.

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lao shi said..

sausage said..

Don't forget that the type of harness used will also determine length. Waist harnesses sit higher up therefore much closer to the boom so you can use much shorter lines compared to sailing with a seat harness. Also type of sailing i.e. wave sailing v slalom/speed utilise different stances. Wave sailors are more upright and much closer to the boom than slalom sailors who sail further out to maximise leverage. Im not man mountain or ape with long arms but use 30" most of the time but do have 32" lines on my big boom as i usually have my boom sett higher with my big sails.

I would agree that different brands have different lengths for the same number.
I would disagree with the Wave / slalom / speed argument. Since doing Cribby's courses I use a waist harness for all and 30 lines too.
www.guycribb.com/userfiles/documents/Tuning-%20long%20lines.pdf
I am only 176cm and 75kg but have found that the waist harness did not need shorter lines for speed sailing if worn correctly. And I have had my fastest overall year in GPSTC since using it.
It is about changing your technique to work with longer lines which has definite benefits.

Yes, it seems NP lines are longer than same sized Dakine, by a bit. I've been swapping between NP 26 to 30's and have found 28's about spot on for me. 30's feel ok but at times when underpowered are a bit long. Well powered they feel good.