Anyone have any preferences for adjustable harness lines?
What works for you? Best brand? Watch out for?
I use some sailworks ones I think.... seem to do the job, can be a bit fiddly on the move, but the steel cleat is pretty reliable and should hold....
Have some some pull cord types, with a little handle... by Dakini.... but heard they break off???
Simply put, what do you use and why?
Cheers advanced!
I used Neil Pryde vario lines to find my line length. They were good and never moved from the position they were set at. I had the 20" to 26" lines. I also found that they were easier to get to swing out a little when you want to hook in because they are a little heavier than the fixed straps that i now use. Now i have got the fixed straps i wouldn't go back the main reason being simplicity. I've got 24" fixed on there now. The vario straps have little triangular handles on them to pull for adjustment and as you go shorter on the lines the handles get closer to your harness hook if that makes sense. I actually almost hooked into one of them once so i just find the fixed length ones much cleaner and easier once you know your length adjust your hook in technique slightly to allow for the reduced swing you get from the fixed ones when trying to hook in but if you want adjustables i found them good.
Hi KDog,
Now that I have found a length I like I've recently gone to fixed (28 to 30's depending on brand). My personal preference however are the Neil Pryde's. I found some brands cut into the boom grip and tear it up pretty badly. Neil Pryde lines don't seem to do this. As far as quality goes all the harness lines I have had seemed good. Generally a season or more of use. I normally only break them when doing something stupid and catapulting as a result. Length seems to vary between brands so I think buying adjustable like you are is a good choice.
Hi Kdog
I have always used fixed 24 lines but on a recent trip to maui the hire gear all had adjustable lines and i must say they where crap for me, the main reason being because the buckle is on one side they don't hang straight and I had to nearly always look down and twist around to hook in, fixed just stay straight and can hook in with no looking and a lot less effort. they might be good for finding your right lenght but once tou have it where you are happy get a set of fixed in that lenght.
Will check out the NP range.
I have found it useful to adjust length on the fly... so become a bit of a fan of them.... got into them after meeting Allison Shreeves and her talking up their virtuous....
I can't say I have really found my sweet spot length, and find I nearly always adjust them after the first fun runs to where it feels best. Sometimes it helps me to get down lower and have my arms further away from the boom.... or more stretched out I mean.... I have pretty long arms (knuckles drag)... so long seems best for me... but again, sometimes I feel I need to go shorter if it gets alot windier. I might have it the wrong way around, but feel if I need more juice, longer harness lines, and if I need less, shorter.....
Anyway - rambling - will check out the NP range.
Can't be bothered with adjustables. If you really look after them (wash in fresh water to stop salt weakening various bits ) they might be great. Allison pointed out that upwind needs shorter lines as the sheeting in and fin pressure is more subtle than broad running . But if you just bend your knees a bit more, not a problem with a fixed line.
I've got a set of pryde adj lines you can have, just PM me and I'll ship them out to you by snail mail, They were good when I was learning but now I am only using fixed lines.
Cheers jase.
Won some adjustable Gaastras in a random draw - orrible bloody things they would slip, hooked into adjust loop once and couldnt get out
Back to fixed 28cm (saying that - why is it I only get 6 months out of harness lines - NP, Da Kine - all break at centre of rope or plastic insert thats stitched into the boom fix)
Make sure the ones you get don't use aluminium clamps. They corrode and then slip/wont clamp and are useless.[}:)]
