why does everyone use harness lines instead of rope?

I think its because harness lines are nice and stiff and hold their shape making hooking in and out easier. Plus they dont twist as easily and hook you up when you catapult. Thats my theory anyway.

I use the sailworks 'quick-tune' harness lines that are just rope and a cleat, with a bit of PVC tube over the top of the rope.

Without the PVC over the top of the rope it doesn't last long and it's not too much fun when it does break... With the PVC tubing over the rope it doesn't swing too much, but I can imagine that without it, it would be a pain to try to hook in. The stiffness of most harness lines help a lot when you go to hook in.

Way way back in the mid to late eighties (1986) prior to having a twenty year hiatus from windsurfing, we used to make our own harness lines with rope, but as stated the rope would easily break. But then we discovered the high pressure air hose lines like those you see on Semi-rigs and in factories (it's coiled when not extended) and cut about a three quarter circle of the coil and feed over rope with knots either end to keep in place. Never broke the first lines I made and I think the boom with lines intact is still underhouse somewhere. The coil acted in much the same way as harness lines do now although sometimes the harness line would wrap around boom (although never twist).

[Now there's 30 seconds of your life you're never going to get back reading this really boring story]

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Fall off boy said...

why does everyone use harness lines instead of rope?

I tried rope back when I was starting out, and found that although cheaper, I had major problems hooking in.. as soon as I got planing, the rope loop would get blown back instead of hanging down in the right place.

No reason not to make your own though, just get some plastic tubing the right size, and thread it over some rope to stiffen it up. I just got lazy once I bought a boom that came with proper harness lines. If you can find some old lines that you can steal the velcro/webbing part that goes around the boom you'll be on a winner. Plain rope would no doubt trash the grip on your boom.

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Fall off boy said...

why does everyone use harness lines instead of rope?

Thats like asking why does everyone use condoms instead of glad wrap!

I just got a new set of Dakine Comp Adj harness lines.
After removing from packet - I swore, WTF are these with this massive SS cleat?
Putting them on the boom - I swore a little more, 1/2 hour job very tight!

Used them for the first time on the weekend. What a dream they are so easy to adjust while under load for lenght in and out. No need to remove all load from lines to adjust as will all other sets i have used.
The grip onto the boom was super with no movement and the locking cleat was very sturdy with no slip all.


Very happy with them indeed well worth it.

Hey Tim,

Just watch the webbing on the adjustable part -- both sides of mine broke after a couple of weeks. The stitching was done really close to the edge of the webbing, and it just pulled out.

I replaced that loop with a homemade webbing larks head, worked a treat and lasted until the rope itself broke.

You're right though, the SS V-jam cleat is the shiz.

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nebbian said...

Hey Tim,

Just watch the webbing on the adjustable part -- both sides of mine broke after a couple of weeks. The stitching was done really close to the edge of the webbing, and it just pulled out.

I replaced that loop with a homemade webbing larks head, worked a treat and lasted until the rope itself broke.

You're right though, the SS V-jam cleat is the shiz.

thanks mate, will watch that!

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nebbian said...

Hey Tim,

Just watch the webbing on the adjustable part -- both sides of mine broke after a couple of weeks. The stitching was done really close to the edge of the webbing, and it just pulled out.

I replaced that loop with a homemade webbing larks head, worked a treat and lasted until the rope itself broke.

You're right though, the SS V-jam cleat is the shiz.

no good...........................one month old with hardly any use and they are buggered. Snapped at the boom attachement.

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Fall off boy said...

why does everyone use harness lines instead of rope?

- difficulty hocking in as rope will swing
- rope might wrap around boom
- rope will wear out quicker as the friction between rope and a metal hook is higher than plastic and a metal hook
- rope has a smaller attached surface area than harness line clips which can result in a boom arms being damaged
- rope is more difficult to attack and adjust

Way back in the day rope was actually the only thing people had... this was way before fully adjustable harness lines. I think I used to go through about 20 meters of rope per season.

Back in those days you had to have to your different rope tying techniques pat down... boom, down haul, outhaul, harness lines... all tied with knots and rope. It used to take forever just to rip up...

... these days you can rig in less than 2 minutes if you know your settings for boom and extension.

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stehsegler said...

Back in those days you had to have to your different rope tying techniques pat down... boom, down haul, outhaul, harness lines... all tied with knots and rope. It used to take forever just to rip up...

... these days you can rig in less than 2 minutes if you know your settings for boom and extension.

I've been windsurfing only last 2.5 years. I've never used a knot.

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evlPanda said...
I've been windsurfing only last 2.5 years. I've never used a knot.

I see a swim in your future..

There are probably some important bits of rope you might need to inspect if they're 2.5 years old and you haven't replaced them yet..

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evlPanda said...

stehsegler said...

Back in those days you had to have to your different rope tying techniques pat down... boom, down haul, outhaul, harness lines... all tied with knots and rope. It used to take forever just to rip up...

... these days you can rig in less than 2 minutes if you know your settings for boom and extension.

I've been windsurfing only last 2.5 years. I've never used a knot.

lucky bastard!

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timford said...

nebbian said...

Hey Tim,

Just watch the webbing on the adjustable part -- both sides of mine broke after a couple of weeks. The stitching was done really close to the edge of the webbing, and it just pulled out.

I replaced that loop with a homemade webbing larks head, worked a treat and lasted until the rope itself broke.

You're right though, the SS V-jam cleat is the shiz.

no good...........................one month old with hardly any use and they are buggered. Snapped at the boom attachement.

second month second pair of lines have crapped out. so much for you get what you pay for, never buyng Dakine again.