I have owned and used both types for years. I find the the seat harness superior for lake sailing. I find them faster, easier to use in gusts, doesn't ride up and just plain more comfortable. I still keep the waist harness though. I like it when I sail in the ocean, or really windy days at the lake (4.2 type winds). It is easier to get hooked-in and unhooked, and easier to swim after your gear. When I am not worried about speed, I like the waist.
There are plenty of people who use a waist harness at the the lake though. It really is a matter of personal perference.
I like the smallest bar -- it is more comfortable and easier to adjust my hips when hooked in. If this is your first harness, you can't go wrong with a 'medium' size. If you are a really big dude, a large would be OK, but I still think the medium (or small) is the way to go...
Think of levers Grasshopper. The lower the hook is and the higher the boom, the more leverage you have on the rig. So if your hook is low you can carry more sail than somebody else with your same dimensions and a higher hook (and go faster). That is usually the way I set it up... only problem is I have trouble finding harness lines long enough.
I bet you see more pix of waist harnesses in magazines because they are mostly in waves where the ease of unhooking is a priority and going fast isn't.
Also, women in photo shoots would never be seen in a seat harness.
I've used a seat harness for years, switched to waist harness about 5 years ago and never looked back. I find the waist type more comfortable with better freedom of movement in all situations, and you don't get pinched you know where. I also like the short harness lines that result from using waist harness. But it really is a matter of personal preference. Using big or small bars should go along with your size.
Using longer lines with waist harness allows you to hike out further and carry more sail than with waist harness. You gain mechanical advantage by being able to put more weight further out to windward; and yes you will probably be able to go faster then with a waist harness. For me the freedom of movement wins out over flat our speed.
Thats good info thanks. You guys will probably see me at VP before long. right now I am doing my "swimming" at Thompson creek, very sheltered and not too far across the cove if I have to swim back.
Thomas,
If you don't get an answer, it may be because many of us have never used anything but a seat harness.
What happens in a black hole stays in a black hole.
I have owned and used both types for years. I find the the seat harness superior for lake sailing. I find them faster, easier to use in gusts, doesn't ride up and just plain more comfortable. I still keep the waist harness though. I like it when I sail in the ocean, or really windy days at the lake (4.2 type winds). It is easier to get hooked-in and unhooked, and easier to swim after your gear. When I am not worried about speed, I like the waist.
There are plenty of people who use a waist harness at the the lake though. It really is a matter of personal perference.
I like a seat harness for lighter winds and bigger sails and a waist harness for higher winds and smaller sails.
So while were at it how do you decide what size spreader bar to get?
I like the smallest bar -- it is more comfortable and easier to adjust my hips when hooked in. If this is your first harness, you can't go wrong with a 'medium' size. If you are a really big dude, a large would be OK, but I still think the medium (or small) is the way to go...
Nice little vector drawing here, feature demiurge Radny:
http://windsurfatlanta.org/modules.php?set_albumName=album35&id=IMG_1093&op=modload&name=Foto&file=index&include=view_photo.php
Think of levers Grasshopper. The lower the hook is and the higher the boom, the more leverage you have on the rig. So if your hook is low you can carry more sail than somebody else with your same dimensions and a higher hook (and go faster). That is usually the way I set it up... only problem is I have trouble finding harness lines long enough.
I bet you see more pix of waist harnesses in magazines because they are mostly in waves where the ease of unhooking is a priority and going fast isn't.
Also, women in photo shoots would never be seen in a seat harness.
I've used a seat harness for years, switched to waist harness about 5 years ago and never looked back. I find the waist type more comfortable with better freedom of movement in all situations, and you don't get pinched you know where. I also like the short harness lines that result from using waist harness. But it really is a matter of personal preference. Using big or small bars should go along with your size.
Using longer lines with waist harness allows you to hike out further and carry more sail than with waist harness. You gain mechanical advantage by being able to put more weight further out to windward; and yes you will probably be able to go faster then with a waist harness. For me the freedom of movement wins out over flat our speed.
Thats good info thanks. You guys will probably see me at VP before long. right now I am doing my "swimming" at Thompson creek, very sheltered and not too far across the cove if I have to swim back.
Thomas
The truth - waist harnesses hold in your stomach, seat harnesses make your butt look big.
Gene Mathis
yea a waist harness is good for hiding those love handles too!