Symptoms of harness lines being too long?

[ghost1]

I was sailing with 26" lines just fine. Snapped a line during sailing so I swapped them out for 28" lines because I keep hearing they are better. Now it just feels like they are slightly too long. I fine them a little difficult to get out of and often quickly go onto my tippy-toes. Also, sometimes when I'm planing and I hit some chop the line comes out of my harness.

I try to keep low, I have my boom at neck height, and I use a waist harness. I am 5'7" tall. Are 26" lines long enough for mainly just free riding and blasting?

Just want to know if it's technique or if I should switch back down.

[manuel]

Besides the number itself, it's all about what feels right for you.
Sizes vary across manufacturers, what brand is yours?

The signs for me that they are too long are over-reaching, arching my back, front hand reaching with finger tips!

The signs for too short of lines are a crowded feel (personal thing) and that I cannot extend my arms fully (this is critical as to minimize arms fatigue and stress).

But now 32 is the new 30, so your 28s are out of fashion anyway...

They are so many factors that come into play: hook height, type of harness, morphology, harness height, personal preference.

If you cannot achieve as many things comfortably more than on 26s then keep your 26s.

[ghost1]

Thanks.

Mine are Dakine, but those mono-lines. I don't like them as much because I find they have to be in the PERFECT position otherwise one hand is pulling wayyyy to much. My old Neil Pryde felt a lot better and I'd space them about 2-3 fingers-width wide.

I definitely feel like my front hand is reaching way too far. Sometimes it feels like the sail is dropping back too far as well. Also when powered up and in the chop I often accidentally pop out of the lines and have to get back in asap or I get out of control. I'll either round up wind or go on a wild downwind adventure. So I guess I'll drop down to 26". Probably better for my height.

[johnl]

[ghost1]

Can you explain the "7" position? I have heard of it but not sure what it is.

[adywind]

Figure 7 is when your body is straight leaning as far back as the harness lines allow and your arms are straight with just the fingers around the boom. If you have to bent your arms-the harness lines are short, if there are straight and the lines unhook they are to long. Now that's in theory and in reality is not that simple: your harness rides up;your body is rarely straight etc.
Longer lines are needed for when you want to ride downwind as fast as possible -before a gybe; jump;freestyle move for example or when you ride super overpowered. To be able to do that your harness lines should be long to allow you to get very low /for leverage/ while hooked in without leaning the sail over yourself and chocking power. Also when using seat harness and keep the boom high for spped blasting /like me /If you don't do this kind of stuff you don't need longer then 28" lines.
Just in case you are up for some experimenting here are some tips: for more speed in flat water straight line blasting use regular/not mono/ lines spaced one fist lenght for comfortably powered up conditions /longer for light wind/. Your front hand must hold the boom directly next to the line /tumb may be over it for reassurance/, back hand a bit farther back from the line. This way you are sheeting in better and keeping the sail upright at the same time. You may want to move the lines back just a bit to make it slightly front hand pulling if you want to go all the way for maximum sheeting in.

[swchandler]

The length of your lines has everything to do with your arm length and reach. I have shorter arms (ideally, I wear a 32" length shirt sleeves), and find 24" lines just right for me, and I wear a seat harness. Given the current trends, many would say my lines are too short, but I've used longer lines in the distant past, and they just weren't right for me.

The "7" stance is basically an illustration of how you look sailing. The top of the "7" is your arms, and the bottom of it is your body from the shoulders down. Of course, your legs bend to handle the conditions and control the board, but the idea is not to be bent over and have your butt hanging out. Moreover, the quality of your stance has everything to do with great windward ability. Overall, you want fairly straight extended arms, and have your butt tucked in.

[adywind]

[coachg]

Difficulty getting in and out of harness lines & being on tippy-toes sounds more like short lines. Popping out of your harness while blasting sounds more like you are not committed to the harness which could be a case of lines being too long, not allowing you to sheet in enough, but it could also mean your lines are too short & you are not committing to the harness.

Make sure you are committing to the harness. You can practice on the beach, in clear wind. Place & point your board slightly into the wind, rake your sail back & hook in. Once hooked in, use your palms to press the boom away from you forcing you to commit to the harness. You can also practice by taking your front hand or back hand off the boom for 4-5 seconds at a time to make sure you are committing to the harness & not engaging with your arms.

Harness line length should embellish your stance and is an individual choice as is your stance. A general rule of thumb for harness line length is with your rig standing upright, press your elbow down into your harness line loop. If your boom crosses your wrist where you wear your watch you have short lines. I’m not going to say your lines are too short if the boom crosses your wrist below your watch line as I know of some people who sail that way, but I would say you are way off the norm. If the knuckles of your hand cross the boom you have long lines. I would say your lines are too long if you can’t wrap your fingers around the boom while pressing down with your elbow into your harness lines.

As for the mono line thing. That is a choice as well. Many of us that practice lots of sail chi prefer regular lines for their adjustability to the sensitivity of the wind. Narrower when light & wider when windy but never wider than a shaka.

Coachg

[isobars]