HI,
I am looking to get my first harness and wondering what is the difference, other than the obvious between using a seat or waist harness?
Is one better than the other, or are the intended for two different applications, or maybe just two options for the same purpose coming down to personal preference?
Cheers,
Ken.
Select to expand quoteKennyK said..
HI,
I am looking to get my first harness and wondering what is the difference, other than the obvious between using a seat or waist harness?
Is one better than the other, or are the intended for two different applications, or maybe just two options for the same purpose coming down to personal preference?
Cheers,
Ken.
Back in the day there were only seat harnesses. now the majority use waist harnesses as most reckon they are more comfortable. Some keen racers reckon they get to hold the power down better on a seat harness. But by far the majority of sailors now use a waist. A waist harness has a higher hook which is easier to get in and out of the harness lines. It also promotes a more up right stance. The straps between the legs were never comfortable and wasn't a great look with boardies. But essentially they do do the same thing, so its just personal preference.
most wavesailors prefer a waist harness
a lot of speed / slalom sailors prefer a seat harness.
Waist harnesses only suit people with a waist.
Waist harnesses work best when worn low, over the hips.
If you have a large belly go for a seat harness.
With any harness try it on on the store before you buy. Fit is important.
Also are kite harnesses the same as windsurf harnesses?
So perhaps I could by one from a kite shop?
Kite harnesses are different in that they have attachments for strings and sockets on front for phallic attachments. The kite seat harnesses have hole in rear.
Jokes aside 99% sure you'll want a windsurfing waist harness. Even most slalom racers use them now.
Seat harnesses seem confined to speed only. (?)
Don't most racers (ie including those on FW, Raceboards and other longboards) use seat harnesses?
Select to expand quoteevlPanda said...
Kite harnesses are different in that they have attachments for strings and sockets on front for phallic attachments. The kite seat harnesses have hole in rear.
Jokes aside 99% sure you'll want a windsurfing waist harness. Even most slalom racers use them now.
Seat harnesses seem confined to speed only. (?)
Aside from what panda mentioned, kite harnesses can also have shaped hooks on them to stop the kite falling off the hook when they're moving the bar around. These odd shaped hooks, can get twisted up and trapped in long windsurf harness lines (as I discovered with the kite harness I used to use when I first started). It's not a good situation to be in when you're under your sail.
Windsurf harnesses always have a straight shaped hook that you can slide out of twisted harness lines.
As to which is better, I think it's very much down to personal preference, whatever discipline you do. Waist harnesses tend to have a higher hook position than seat harnesses...
Select to expand quoteChris 249 said..
Don't most racers (ie including those on FW, Raceboards and other longboards) use seat harnesses?
EVERY RS:X sailor I know uses a seat harness, I don't think i've ever seen one with a waist harness... Id say thats it similar for formula, but I wouldn't have a clue for raceboard...
Seat harnesses are great if you are little and weak like me and want to be able to hold larger sails..
I have just been out for a quick sail, my first time in 20 knots.
I had only been out in 10 to 15 before, takes it out of you without a harness! 
All I know is, I want a harness. But I am still none the wiser as to which to get. 
Ok these are some harnesses I am looking at, what do you think????
I am attracted to these because they are cheap, but that's not always a good thing.http://www.surfsailaustralia.com.au/showProduct/Windsurfing/Harness+Windsurf/46001601/Da+Kine+Chameleon+Waist+Harness+2011+%28On+Special%29
www.surfsailaustralia.com.au/showProduct/Windsurfing/Harness+Windsurf/4000355/Da+Kine+2014+Reflex+Seat+Harness
www.surfsailaustralia.com.au/showProduct/Windsurfing/Harness+Windsurf/4600352blkw/Da+Kine+Vega+Seat++Black+2013+%28On+Special%29
I use a Dakine Reflex seat and I am really happy with it, I also have a Dakine T5 waist which I really like as well.
Mostly I use the seat harness because I use a life jacket as well. The waist harness is easier to hook in and out of but the hook is to high for use with a jacket. I wouldn't say one is better than the other. Probably a waist is easier to learn with but if you need a jacket the seat is the go.
As for Dakine quality I think most will agree they are pretty good.
I recon only go for a seat harness if you want to lean towards speed sailing only and a waist harness for if your going to lean towards bump and jump wave type sailing. I have wave gear and slalom gear and use a waist harness for both and I'm still not slow on my slalom gear.
To answer your other question yes you can use a kite harness just make sure you get one with a changeable bar and get a windsurfing bar with the straight hook.
Seat harness is better for bump and jump, freeriding, fast sailing, slalom. If you have a dodgy lower back seat is also best. If you want to use a lifejacket (and you should) the seat harness is best. Waist is better for wave sailing only. You have more options and less problems with seat. Choose seat.
PS. Choose seat.
Yep. Go the seat harness.
My first harness was a waist harness (2009). This was from recommendations on the site. I then went seat harness and haven't looked back. The problem with waist harness is they always slip up, and they fight for space with the buoyancy vest. In my experience, the hook is about the same location anyway.
Select to expand quoteJockyC said..Chris 249 said..
Don't most racers (ie including those on FW, Raceboards and other longboards) use seat harnesses?
EVERY RS:X sailor I know uses a seat harness, I don't think i've ever seen one with a waist harness... Id say thats it similar for formula, but I wouldn't have a clue for raceboard...
Raceboard's pretty universally seat I think (I've never really looked but a waist harness would stand out) as is the front end of the One Design and Kona fleets.
Another bonus of the seat is that, somewhat obviously, you can sit in it.. It can be a more comfortable position over long time periods. :)
Although I have both a seat and waist harness I tend to use my seat harness 99% of the time due to the comfort factor on my back.For some reason, after sailing in the waves with my waist harness, the muscles in the middle of my back become quite sore making it difficult to sail the next day.I don't have back problems in any other situation.So, it may seem sacrilegious, but I'm the guy at Gnaraloo, Lancelin, Ho'okiipa and Exmouth, shredding the waves on my wave gear.... and my seat harness (with long 30 inch lines) works just fine (of course I unhook before catching the wave or jumping).
My seat harness works very well for slalom on the river, Peel inlet, Safety Bay and Cockburn sound... and my back is fine.
I know this goes against the conventional thinking, but pain is a serious priority.
I've used a seat harness almost exclusively in all forms of windsurfing for 30 years. Its what I'm used to. I like the fact the the harness attaches to the hips, which is the strongest part of my body. Ease of hooking in and out can be an issue sometimes, but iis lessoned with good setup (boom height and harness rope length) and technique.
They tell me thet waist harnesses are much better these days and many sailors swear by them.
Like a lot of windsurfing questions it comes down to a matter of choice.
There is something hybrid..seat harness with a high hook..I am using it..It is a hot sail wave seat harness.. I cannot comment on it since I am learning. It is easy to hook in and out...and not getting tired since my hip is attached to it... I quite like it myself..
Select to expand quotebenyip said...
There is something hybrid..seat harness with a high hook..I am using it..It is a hot sail wave seat harness.. I cannot comment on it since I am learning. It is easy to hook in and out...and not getting tired since my hip is attached to it... I quite like it myself..
I saw one of the pros (I think it we Steve Allen) at peli point in Perth, he had a waist harness on that had a "butt scoop" kinda thing going on. I think it mighta been a flying objects special....
The key thing is to go to a shop to check for comfortable fit, either a seat or a waist can fit badly or really well.
i used seat for years then decided to try a waist. It took a while to get used to and to adjust stance and harness lines.
i haven't look back. It's more supportive for my back, I have better leverage over my sail and more freedom of movement. I've used it for formula, and I use it for slalom, b&j and wave.
I'm not sure if this is true but I hear that many of the sail developers / test sailors use waist so sails tend to be optimised around waist harness stance.
Some people can only use one or the other or they end up with a sore back.
Seat probably easier to learn with.
Different seat harnesses have different hook heights, some are about the same as a waisty.
I recently switched from seat to waist, what I notice is with the waist your legs are much more involved, on a seat you can just bend the knees and sit down to counter the force of the sail but with the waist you need to be pushing thru the feet then legs as you lean out. If you just sit with a waisty it will ride up to your underarms. I feel the waisty promotes better sailing stance and technique.
Also when sailing upwind on a waisty you can let the harness swing around your waist keeping the harness and hook pointed at the sail as you twist your body around to look and lean forward. I find this very helpful on the longboard.
And if it matters at all to you a seat harness looks like you are wearing a nappy 
Only thing I dont like about my seat harness is with the leg straps done up really tight it can be hard work getting my legs up onto the board to beach or waterstart as I'm pulling against the harness.
Select to expand quotesboardcrazy said..
Only thing I dont like about my seat harness is with the leg straps done up really tight it can be hard work getting my legs up onto the board to beach or waterstart as I'm pulling against the harness.
???
Find a good/comfortable length, then tie a knot in the excess webbing.
Select to expand quotemathew said..sboardcrazy said..
Only thing I dont like about my seat harness is with the leg straps done up really tight it can be hard work getting my legs up onto the board to beach or waterstart as I'm pulling against the harness.
???
Find a good/comfortable length, then tie a knot in the excess webbing.
I have the leg straps on really tight so it doesn't ride up.. If I'm on the beach I let them off and then it's easy to walk around etc..
I got the Dakine Reflex seat harness. Seems nice, went to try it out today but my lines aren't long enough.
So will get some adjustable's I think.
Thanks for your help guys!
You may find your lines are too short because you aren't standing far enough back on your board yet. The further back you stand the more the boom will come down to your hook level. Maybe it is just a case of more practice?
