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Hey Crew, im looking to try longer length lines. Just feel im not straightening my front arm enough n loading unnecessarily bicep n forearm. Im 6'2" , currently use 26-32 at max. Looking at 36 adjustables
What size lines do all you TALL crew use? Any recommendations?
am about 6'1" and use Chinook race adjustable now
which I thought went past 32" max - NOT and so, i typically run @ 32
when i first started short boarding and using the harness, i had an old rope style harness set way out
and another regular shorter harness line(s) for when the wind picked up ...
@6'3" Adj' 32-34 depending on conditions/boom height.
General rule of thumb grab boom between HL and it should reach around elbow firmly, this length is somewhat relative to your height. Adjust either way around this depending on your harness hook height/type and where you want your boom set for conditions or type of sailing your doing.
Just remember fixed HL length can be adjusted somewhat depending on how far apart they are fixed to the boom.
Hi Oldskool. You make a good point. I think you would benefit from longer lines and stretching your arms out straight once you get used to the difference.
I sail a Mistral Equipe raceboard. I'm 188cm tall and my lines are 42cm long. The lines are together where they attach to the boom which makes them effectively longer than having them spread apart like yours. I have my boom at nose height.
If I was on a shortboard, I would have my boom slightly lower and shorter harness lines.
Good luck
Your line length is probably ok, but definitely get a set of adjustables and experiment. Im 5'10" and use 30s.
A few other thoughts - If you're getting pressure on your forward arm maybe this is a line position issue? Also, your Ezzy should have an exceptionally neutral featherweight feel. If it feels heavy, or you're getting a lot of front arm pressure you possibly aren't using enough downhaul.
Thanks guys. Bit more info. Last few times ive sailed ive moved HL closer together fist n half apart. Sail definately feels more twitchy to gusts. But at same time i can let go of boom n sail a few seconds balanced,no hands if its not gusty. Rigging wise ive always rigged DH for the lulls to keep my RB planing. Once it becomes too backhandy or tries to flick me on my back in gusts, i DH further n adjust OH to suit.Then sail is light in the hands but lacks the drive thru lulls. I like to keep powered to the max coz im hellbent on keeping up with the shortboard crew. (dare to be different kinda guy)
Big ask of 90s RB, i know. But i feel it can be achieved. If i fine tune my entire setup to sail COMFORTABLY itll be Fast.
So 36" adjustables seem a worthy tuning exercise?
Yo Tardy, No Harness huh? Feel the power. Use the force dude. 
I will come to your island to check that technique.
Hi Oldskool........I think longer lines will help however also think about your posture / stance. I notice in your photo your upper body is quite upright which brings your shoulders closer to the boom hence the bent arms. Try leaning back a bit, push your shoulders back to straighten your arms. Your upper body will be further out, you will have more leverage and go faster. I think we all go into that upright more hunched stance at times, especially in rough water....when I want to pass somebody I really concentrate on pushing my shoulders back and straightening my arms...it works.
Hey Mr Love. Good point. On my RB my stance is more like you say. Shoulders back. The pic is a 90s Bic Metal Rock. Mast track in board is way forward. Modern sail has me standing oddly. Side on view,my feet are in straps but my upper body is leaning quite far forward so as to not rake sail too far back to prevent constant rounding up. Really gives my legs a workout. See if i can source another pic.
Cheers
I've been getting shorter as I age.
Tried 30's before and way too long.
Then tried 26's for a couple of years and it felt right.
Now on 24's and they are perfect.
Takes a few sails till they stretch in / come closer to increase to their length.
Longer lines for me equal better downwind sailing but not good upwind.
Longer lines equal more not less fatigue on my arms.
Longest I've ever seen was Ant Baker,he had like 35's or something.
Gday Tardy, distance between HL on boom is two hands. Maybe a touch less.Lately each session ive moved them closer together. Can find the balance point ok, but on gusts sail wants to flick around. Wide kinda stabilizes it? Ive also dropped boom height about 40mm from top of boom at 5 down to just above 4, about my shoulder height. This has helped quite a bit.
Put a shirt on?? Nah, way too hot for that here on the sunny coast. I actually work up a big sweat trying to get my RB fangin along. Just sunscreen required here dude.
all good ...i just read your 6.2 ..so you will have longer arms than me ..
still cool here ,i'm still in a long leg wetsuit ...come on warm currents ...water is a mer 19...bbbrrrr.
i seen a guy with 2 sets of harness lines one day ...he said one was for going up wind ..slightly shorter too...
he was fast....he would run right up .wind ....then run down at a hell of a speed ...yeow....i wanted to check his watch ..
freerider.
Tardy, that fella was before his time. In the know. Makes sense. Before adjustables were available id think. Kinda like Fangys fins. Thinking outside the square. Awesome.
Just lengthened mine from 28 to 30. They felt more comfortable and were faster. I'm going to try even longer (31 to 32)
Nah, way too hot for that here on the sunny coast. I actually work up a big sweat trying to get my RB fangin along. Just sunscreen required here dude.
I don't think there is anything wrong with your stance actually. And to me your front arm does not look too bent. When I was sailing on Sunday my arm was about the same angle.
You look OK in both photos in the Golden Beach thread.
Howdy Shifu, the main reason im asking advice is i was experiencing tennis elbow n wondering if longer harness length would stop or reduce possibility of further injury.
im only 202cm so not exactly tall but I do like to use really really long lines so that I can hang really low over the water allmost horizontal. this way my body acts as a wing and generates a little lift. I have been quitely dominateing the speed board useing this technique.
+1 John340. In good constant wind this is achievable. But in gusty wind too straight an arm does pull directly on the shoulder. Using 8m cheetah, HL just under 2 hands apart. Can sail no hands for 20-30m. Any closer n sail is too reactive to gusts, quite twitchy. Is this the norm?
hi oldschool .
i don't really think there is much wrong with your stance ,,the bent arm could be you adjusting running up wind ,,it all about being comfy and having your weight on your harness ,I'm quite happy with 26-28 ...i think its all about trial and error ..heres my stance photo.
I find ocean blasting easier using long lines (34cm), a low boom & mostly straight arms.
Low stance using my legs as shock absorbers. JJ
Like this (stock photo)
I dont think there's anything to be gained for blasting type sailing with line two hand widths apart. Try 2.5 you will have more stability. The freestylers like them close together and it became a fashion thing.
There IS a lot to be gained from commitment to the harness and trying to reserve your arms and hands for trim only. Rigs over 6.5m put a lot more stress on you during manouvres because, out of the harness, you have to deal with a lot more power.
I think you should experiment more with downhaul on your cheetah, using outhaul for fullness. A sail with featherlight feel is easier on your joints. My whole setup is built around Ezzy Cheetahs for just that reason and I open water sail hundreds of kilometres with good comfort.
