How is it measured?
Do you just measure the length of the line ..if so the sailing length will vary depending on the sailor ?
Eg- I have mine wide apart so they will be shorter than someone who has them right next to each other..
Just bored and musing..

I am guessing arm length (reach) of sailor is upper limiting factor for line size, then it is about sailors riding stance, then boom height. Placing harness lines further apart olso effects the length but angles are too small to make big length differences, but it effects the sails power delivery feel a lot, makes it more free.
For me it feels like i need one size shorter lines when i use big sails in light winds even though i keep the boom height same, maybe its because there is not much chop so it feels more efficient with an upwards stance.
Placing your elbow at tip of lines and see where the boom is at your hand is a good i dicator, for me boom is at my palm where fingers start.

Mine have been getting longer and closer together over the last few months, getting back into sailing after a 20year break I was used to unstable sails and having wide lines so I just went with that. I'm now finding that everything works much better with the lines about 6" apart. Like sea lotus I've ended up with lines from elbow to palm where finger start. I think I could go longer some days as I'm 6'7 and have gorilla arms.

I would really love it if they could put a track in the boom arms and have the lines on sliders

Select to expand quote

Ben1973 said..
Mine have been getting longer and closer together over the last few months, getting back into sailing after a 20year break I was used to unstable sails and having wide lines so I just went with that. I'm now finding that everything works much better with the lines about 6" apart. Like sea lotus I've ended up with lines from elbow to palm where finger start. I think I could go longer some days as I'm 6'7 and have gorilla arms.

I would really love it if they could put a track in the boom arms and have the lines on sliders

Mine are loose enough to be able to move or wriggle them along if needed as I sail but not lose enough to accidentally move.