Harness Selector
Related links: New
harnesses, Used
harnesses, Harness
lines
 Harness
selection used to be so simple! There were just chest
harnesses with no choice of hook. Now, there are many
choices: chest harnesses, waist harnesses, and seat harnesses. And
then spreader bars: Standard
bars or Reactor
bars.
To choose a harness, first determine if you would like a seat or
a chest harness. The table below
will describe some advantages, and disadvantages of the different
types.
Click here for a
description of Harness Hooks / Spreader bars / Reactor bars.
Harness hook height: Most people who sail in waves
or chop, tend to like a higher hook height. This allows them
to hook in and out easier.
A lower hook found in most seat harnesses is comfortable, and
gives you more power over your sail, which allows you to more
easily control your sail.
Comfort and fit: Once you figure out the style of
harness that you want, you can refine the search by looking
at different brands and models. If you can, try on several
in a store, and lean back against some fixed harness lines (found
in most stores). This will give you some idea if a harness
is right for you. Of course, "on the water
testing" is also recommended.
Harness
types
 |
 |
 |
| Chest harness (high hook) |
Waist harness (high hook) |
Waist w/seat attach (high hook) |
 |
 |
 |
| Seat harness w/high hook |
Seat harness w/medium hook |
Seat Harness w/low hook |
| Harness
comparison chart |
| Harness Categories |
Chest Harnesses |
Waist Harnesses |
Seat Harnesses |
| Hook Height |
High |
Medium to High Hook depending on model and individual
physique. |
Multiple levels of hooks: High, Medium, and Low hook
height. |
| Advantages |
The chest harness is the original type of
harness. It works great for all types of sailing, but
especially for wave sailing.
The large surface area spreads out the load along your
whole back. It also gives you more coverage for when
you splat down on your back from a big jump.
The higher hook is easy to hook in and out
of.
Easy to put on and off.
Gives you a little floatation for waterstarts |
The waist harness is designed for ease of
use,
Very easy to put on and off, this type of harness is
popular for wavesailing and gorge sailing.
The high hook on the waist harness makes it easy to hook
in and out of.
If you ever have to paddle anywhere with your harness on,
it is easy to rotate the waist harness around so that the
hook is in the back.
Some waist harnesses have seat attachment option. |
Seat harnesses have leg straps to
keep the harness from "riding up". Some have
variable hook heights. |
| Disadvantages |
Very difficult to find anymore as most
manufacturers have discontinued it. |
To some people, the waist harness has a
tendency to move around more than they would like. |
Restricts movement a bit and is awkward to
walk and sit in. |
Frequently asked questions:
If you have any questions that might be
good here, please let me know at windance@windance.com
.
|
