Harness Line Placement

G-Daddy · Post by **G-Daddy** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 9:16 pm

There's probably an extensive discussion on this already, so if someone knows the link just fire it my way....

Broke a harness line at CB the other day, so I start looking on the net for new lines. As part of that I did a little search on the latest in length and line position. Came upon the 'Guy Cribb' site and his setup tips, so I tried it out today....

Most of it was pretty much what I was doing already. I've been using about 28 inch lines (on an adjustable set), and boom height was already about right, but the line position was definitely back from where I had them by about 1.5 inches.

I've always rigged based on the sail markings on my set of North Dukes, and that left me in a neutral position in the harness, where I could let go with either hand to shake out or whatever without feeling uncomfortable. The new line position was further back then the markings and put much more pressure on my front hand to pull the sail in. I could comfortably let go with my back hand, but not the front. It made for a much more physical ride, felt very awkward at first, then felt pretty good by the end of the session.

What's the story on this Guy Cribb character? Is he the real deal? Should I follow his advice, or the markings on my sails?

What do most folks suggest for line placement? Should it be neutral leaving both hands comfortable, or back forcing you to work the front hand? What about line length?

Thanks

winddoctor · Post by **winddoctor** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 9:36 pm

Hi G Daddy.

Guy Cribb knows his stuff. The correct harness line placement is as he says, but you should not feel like you are battling your front hand too much (or at all). His settings force you to sail the rig more powered up (sheeted in fully). This setting forces you to commit 100% to the harness and is very efficient compared to the more forward and sheeted out position of the lines lots of sailors use. Often newer sailors will feel more comfy with the lines forward at first, because they can kind of "hedge their bets" by not powering the sail up fully and also not committing fully to the harness. Thus they stay stuck in 3rd gear with surging forays into 4th and 2nd gear as they sheet in and out. Years ago I had the chance to ride a couple of Pros' gear and they both had their lines set back just far enough that you would feel nearly on the edge of a catapult. You quickly get used to this feel. The lines will feel a little far back (more pull on front hand and a slightly pitchy feel) until you are fully powered up. Then they'll feel perfect. This adjustment is worth the initial strange feel.

The harness line settings printed on the sail are good general guides, but they are not gospel.

light one · Post by **light one** » Wed Jul 01, 2009 10:23 am

I've been sailing on norths for years and sail with my lines just a couple of inches apart max, what i have found is that the vts markings on the sail for harness lines doesn't quite work for me, what does work is that i find the rear mark is correct, it's the front one that is off, so try placing your front one a couple of inches infront of the rear mark and your rear on the rear mark, this works on every sail in my north quiver. Hope that makes sense. cheers

eastside · Post by **eastside** » Wed Jul 01, 2009 9:45 pm

Lift up your sail with 2 fingers, unattached and out of the wind, that's where you put your harness lines, adjust to suit, surprisingly accurate, no math necessary.

downwind dave · Post by **downwind dave** » Wed Jul 01, 2009 11:39 pm

no lines, way of the future.
http://www.solutionsdept.com/palmharnes ... rfing.html

G-Daddy · Post by **G-Daddy** » Thu Jul 02, 2009 2:03 am

Awesome! Just ordered two pairs of the 'Pro' model.....

Geoffy · Post by **Geoffy** » Thu Jul 02, 2009 9:24 am

Be really careful using those for long periods, speaking from experience of myself and several others who sailed with casts on at some point in our lives, and now have local calcium deposits/bone spurs to show for it due to the extended pressure point action. Those hook-type braces were around in 1983-84 but died out. My calcium deposit, which is now permanent bone because I did not get it removed early on, happened in just 3 weeks of sailing in Maui.

Hmmm - Wonder if this is what birthed Mertoe?

KUS · Post by **KUS** » Thu Jul 02, 2009 10:21 am

Mertoe was conceived during a mad backlooping phase in December using tight booties and straps, landing the board nose in while drifting forward at excessive speeds

G-Daddy · Post by **G-Daddy** » Thu Jul 02, 2009 11:35 pm

Thanks for all the tips folks. Finally nailed the line location perfectly today. My Dukes don't have a 'range' for the lines, but a single marker at the CoE. For the last three years I just followed the sail markings and thought my line placement was just fine....

Winddoc was totally right... Now I have them further back, maybe an inch and a bit behind the marker for the rear strap and a fist apart. Just enough to keep a small amount of pressure on the front hand. Definitely a bit 'tippy' as you shift through the gears, but then perfect once you're in the straps and up to speed. A small change but it made an enormous difference.

No I didn't really order those crazy hand hooks....

What's with the mertoe?

light one · Post by **light one** » Fri Jul 03, 2009 12:12 am

You are correct g daddy, there is only one mark on the north sails....sooo what i have found is that the front line is right on the mark, hopefully that will work for you... cheers to the rest of you in florence and elsewhere

KC7777 · Post by **KC7777** » Sun Jul 05, 2009 8:08 am

I just spent a week at Nitinat, after not sailing much for a year. I used the "Guy Cribb" elastic string method to set the back line 1/3 of the distance from the front of the mast to the clew. The front line goes approx. 1 hand width in front of that. I always balance my lines on the beach, and this method seemed like the lines were an inch or more back from where I regularly would put them. But after a few days they felt good. I think he knows what he is talking about.

downwind dave · Post by **downwind dave** » Mon Jul 06, 2009 12:22 pm

i thought the windsurf mag link would be useful to add in this thread

http://www.guycribb.com/userfiles/docum ... 0Lines.pdf

TheLaw · Post by **TheLaw** » Tue Jul 07, 2009 8:40 am

I am checking this out next time I sail...watch out for my 180cm sling shot! I want to move out of the 80's.

Thanks for the link DWD!

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