In the market for a new harness, I know it comes down to personal preference, but any idea on the best harness out there for quality and value for money. Using a waist harness at the moment and any pro/cons over seat vs waist.

If you are used to waist stick with it.

I currently use dakine waist & seat. Am pretty happy with them, just dont downhaul using the hook.

I have tried a few over the last few years waist and seat, but truth is I always go back to a seat I think it comes down to what you first learnt with. As for best value I use prolimit, I have a couple of different models including one I have had for 4 years now, and is still in good nick. I bought a new 2011 model in December, returned it under warranty in Febuary due to some poor stitching, it was repaired and returned in a couple of days, good as new and no problems since.

Best advice is probably try a few and find the most comfy after all I think the difference in price is only 100 buck across the range (if you haggle)

Also check out some of the Kite harnesses they look better built then the windsurfing ones. Ive had one for about a year now and still going strong.
even comes with a safety knife to cut kite lines if you get tangle in them..

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vando said...

Also check out some of the Kite harnesses they look better built then the windsurfing ones. Ive had one for about a year now and still going strong.
even comes with a safety knife to cut kite lines if you get tangle in them..

I thought it was so you could get into your man's pants a bit quicker , also comes with a handle so he can... oh right best behaviour at the moment

The new windsurfing harnesses have stepped it up a bit, almost look too bulky though. I had prolimit- stitching frayed on leg straps pretty quick, easy fix but found they didn't offer good back support. New ones look a little better designed & built.

I learned on a seat harness and sailed with a seat harness for over 10 years before I gave the waist harness a go. Much prefer the more upright stance especially in surf. I use a Mystic Warrior 1 waist harness, mine is now 3 seasons old and still looks near new. The spreader bar has a loop below where the hook extends from. You can thread the bottom strap through it to prevent the bar from rolling upwards when your hooked in, so keeps the bar straight and where it should be with no movement. Also the back and sides are well padded so it does not crush your rib cage. Worth checking out IMO.

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vando said...

Also check out some of the Kite harnesses they look better built then the windsurfing ones. Ive had one for about a year now and still going strong.
even comes with a safety knife to cut kite lines if you get tangle in them..

+1 on the kite harnesses...

I rescued a fellow windsurfer a couple of months ago really easily by asking him to grab onto the handle as I slogged back to the beach.

As for which brand, the best value for money is the harness that fits you. Otherwise you have to keep buying new ones till you find one that fits

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nebbian said...

vando said...

Also check out some of the Kite harnesses they look better built then the windsurfing ones. Ive had one for about a year now and still going strong.
even comes with a safety knife to cut kite lines if you get tangle in them..

+1 on the kite harnesses...

I rescued a fellow windsurfer a couple of months ago really easily by asking him to grab onto the handle as I slogged back to the beach.

As for which brand, the best value for money is the harness that fits you. Otherwise you have to keep buying new ones till you find one that fits

But what advantage did here grab my a$$ have over, quick grab the footstraps?

As for waist vs seat- always using slalom gear I used seat. Now I use waist harness probably 75% of time- when it's light waist offers better flexility, boom can be high and still hook into lines, can unhook easier in lulls etc. When it's windy & choppy again i'll use waist for that bit extra control.

When I really want to go fast & lock down the sail i'll use seat. Pretty much waist offers more foot pressure & freedom of legs. Seat gives you more mast foot pressure & more consistent sheeting angle.

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mkseven said...

But what advantage did here grab my a$$ have over, quick grab the footstraps?

Have you ever tried towing using your back footstrap? It doesn't work. The back of the board constantly gets pulled upwind and it's a mighty struggle to stay upright.

Heaps easier to tow using either your harness or failing that the mastfoot.

Will go and look at some, have a feel but good to know about the kite harness as in build quality (not ass grabbing ease, but a handy tip). My current harness is old and has a sliding bar any advantages of a fixed bar, apart from being in the same place all the time.

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nebbian said...

mkseven said...

But what advantage did here grab my a$$ have over, quick grab the footstraps?

Have you ever tried towing using your back footstrap? It doesn't work. The back of the board constantly gets pulled upwind and it's a mighty struggle to stay upright.

Heaps easier to tow using either your harness or failing that the mastfoot.

Yer I have, used to muck around heaps with that stuff when windsurfing was all about being out with mates & not planing & sailing by yourself. Admittedly it isnt easy on sinkers. Only time I have really struggled is when we were trying to pull their gear along with them after some sort of breakage (having it all rigged & very draggy through the water), cant see that grabbing anywhere else would help with that. I can see that it would be easier with the handle for less drag though.

I never noticed much difference between fixed & sliding bars. Most important for me always been quick release- only takes getting stuck under sail once & you'll never forget it.