Just started hooking in and got a feeling that the harness lines give you a bit more control and better steering range?I'm also having problems getting far enough back to get in the straps is this technique or am I not going fast enough.when I do step back I strugle to keep the board from going up wind ,this is the same on small and large boards.cheers.
Harness lines take the strain of the arms allowing them more scope for adjustment, so yes control is improved. But the biggest improvement is power.
Maybe you have the mast foot too far forward, so when you move back, the sail rakes to far back as well. Shifting the mast foot back should allow you to move back, but still keep the sail more vertical.
It's a bit hard to tell without actually seeing what's happening.
Don't have your lines too short either -takes a while to get used it but 28-30inches will give you more time to react to avoid catapults etc and be better as you advance.
Are you planning yet? If you aren't on the plane it will be difficult getting back enough to get in the straps. Keep the back foot on the centre line of the board and use your harness lines to get your weight more on the mast foot to keep the board running flat. When you get used to using harness lines you will wonder how you ever sailed without them.
I am planning ,possibly not mach speed but definitely on top of the water,when planning do you drive against the fins or is it more rail,or both depending on the situation?decrepid I do hold the boom pretty far forward,if I hold it further back that will keep the mast more upright,but it feels like there's less chance for depower in gusts?
If you are planing, but with not much speed, you can still stay in the harness and get in the straps.
But when you are in the straps you need to hang a bit forwards until you pick up speed. And that can be quite a bit forwards if it's about to drop off the plane.
Then you just slowly hang back as the speed picks up, and everything stays balanced.
If you hang back too early the board will roud up into the wind.
It feels a bit awkward hanging forwards but it's only for a few seconds and you get used to it.
Unless off course the wind is a bit light, in which case you end up hanging forwards for the complete run.
All good fun and good practice.
I will add,.. if you get the board up planing and you are not already in the straps, the board will quite often drop off the plane when you shift your feet around trying to get in the straps.
In marginal conditions for the sail being used, any small variation in weight distribution or trim can drop it off the plane.
If you are already in the straps and hanging forwards, moving your weight backwards is a super smooth and non disruptive procedure and the board will always stay on the plane.
