Recently switched to a boom and interested in trying to use harness lines for the first time.
Any recommendations on what line length works best for free ride and any particular brands that are best?
I've tried windsurf harness line, Ride Engine non-stretch adjustable harness line, Ozone stretchy adjustable line, and just recently the Mystic Velcro attach stretchy non-adjustable line. Coming from windsurfing I initially preferred the non-stretch lines, but now I'm used to them I Prefer stretchy lines. I prefer the Ozone over the Mystic as it drops out of your hook better when trying to unhook. Downside of the Ozone line is it's position sometimes wanders on my wing handles
I use the Ensis harness line that has a plastic tubing over the rope. They are ok but are a bit brutal on the face when you are pumping the wing hard to get on foil. I have also used the Ozone lines and liked them too. Just a bit harder to hook into than the sheathed Ensis lines.
Hard windsurf lines are cheaper. They are sold as a pair, for the same price wingers pay for one. But they do hit you in the head during tacks and are generally annoying.
The bungee inside a cord lines, are least annoying in my opinion.
Try the Artness harness lines! They are really nice, no visual noise in front of you, no flapping in the face and no unintentional hook-ins with pumping which it found the most annoying. They are retractable, but at deployment there is no stretch in the line. See a lot of the pro's use them as well
The rigid windsurf line is nice when first learning because it sticks out towards you and makes it easier to hook in. Unfortunately it can also smack you in the face when pumping up onto foil. I prefer the bungee and if you really like the harness line getting the Artness Pro is really nice. The downside is just that it adds to setup time on every wing if you move it around a bunch.
a3dsport.fr/en?srsltid=AfmBOoq0Y1Yz8u2KmjaJfk2Edn69MiiZMlqkwsBBeNcicDen4ycFTdNK
Select to expand quoteStretchy said..
I've tried windsurf harness line, Ride Engine non-stretch adjustable harness line, Ozone stretchy adjustable line, and just recently the Mystic Velcro attach stretchy non-adjustable line. Coming from windsurfing I initially preferred the non-stretch lines, but now I'm used to them I Prefer stretchy lines. I prefer the Ozone over the Mystic as it drops out of your hook better when trying to unhook. Downside of the Ozone line is it's position sometimes wanders on my wing handles
The wandering really annoyed me too. I solved it with the most hack solution possible. Duct taped that sucker down.
Select to expand quoteMrPieMan said..
Recently switched to a boom and interested in trying to use harness lines for the first time.
Any recommendations on what line length works best for free ride and any particular brands that are best?
I made my own with some 4 mm cord and plastic tube and they work great . ??Rich
Imo the best harness lines out there. Elastic, so light weight and no slapping in the face. Perfect for boom. I dont use anything else anymore, and i tried allot.
Select to expand quoteBWalnut said..
The rigid windsurf line is nice when first learning because it sticks out towards you and makes it easier to hook in. Unfortunately it can also smack you in the face when pumping up onto foil. I prefer the bungee and if you really like the harness line getting the Artness Pro is really nice. The downside is just that it adds to setup time on every wing if you move it around a bunch.
a3dsport.fr/en?srsltid=AfmBOoq0Y1Yz8u2KmjaJfk2Edn69MiiZMlqkwsBBeNcicDen4ycFTdNK
Hooking in with that tight line looks horrible. I can imagine myself missing that line everytime. Or hook both the line and the boom or something like that
Select to expand quotelarsdegroot said..BWalnut said..
The rigid windsurf line is nice when first learning because it sticks out towards you and makes it easier to hook in. Unfortunately it can also smack you in the face when pumping up onto foil. I prefer the bungee and if you really like the harness line getting the Artness Pro is really nice. The downside is just that it adds to setup time on every wing if you move it around a bunch.
a3dsport.fr/en?srsltid=AfmBOoq0Y1Yz8u2KmjaJfk2Edn69MiiZMlqkwsBBeNcicDen4ycFTdNK
Hooking in with that tight line looks horrible. I can imagine myself missing that line everytime. Or hook both the line and the boom or something like that
It's actually no big deal once you get used to it. I haven't ever hooked a boom or hard handle and have been using some variation of a tight line for about a year. Your body adjusts to it, similar to everything else in foiling, repetition for perfection!
North wing specific ones are good for a boom, velcro tab onto the boom so it doesn't wreck the eva foam grip. Adjustable for length.
I've been using Dakine 26 windsurfing lines for a while. At 5' 9", they seem about the right length for me. I was on 28's but they were a tad long. As DWF says, the windsurfing lines are a lot cheaper than wing specific lines and do they job well. Regarding getting smacked in the head while pumping, I just loop my thumb around the line then grab the rear handle. Problem solved. I also never get hit in the head while tacking. I did a couple of times when I first started using lines (even put my head through once which isn't good 
), but you soon get used it. For mine, the retractable lines are an overly complicated solution to a problem that doesn't really exist.
Been using Saverne lines 32"-34" quick fix
Very nice and fit in NSI harness hook very well.Only soft lines I've tried are F1 which were too short for my liking have not tried/seen ozone
Select to expand quoteMrFish said..
North wing specific ones are good for a boom, velcro tab onto the boom so it doesn't wreck the eva foam grip. Adjustable for length.
Also my favorite so far. Really like that you don't have to undo a handle to put them on. Super light and don't mesh up your Eva foam.
Select to expand quotelarsdegroot said..
Imo the best harness lines out there. Elastic, so light weight and no slapping in the face. Perfect for boom. I dont use anything else anymore, and i tried allot.
What length do you use? I mail ordered the 25" on recommendation by the shop, but in hindsight I think the 27" might be a better fit. I have line mounted on a 2023 Nova 6m
I used to use the Severne quick fix lines. Easy to fit to the handles on wings.
But know using 6mm Double Braid Polyester (yachty rope). It's easy to adjust and hangs down when foiling so that it's easy to hook in. And when you pump you can hold it with your thumb to stop from slapping you in the face. Also very cheap.
Just make some out of the size you like dyneema rope, 3-4mm Bungy and plastic hook from your local marine shop. You'll put one on each wing for the cost of one harness line and this one is easy to fit and adjust. Easy to make, easy to use.No flapping about
Select to expand quoteStretchy said..larsdegroot said..
Imo the best harness lines out there. Elastic, so light weight and no slapping in the face. Perfect for boom. I dont use anything else anymore, and i tried allot.
What length do you use? I mail ordered the 25" on recommendation by the shop, but in hindsight I think the 27" might be a better fit. I have line mounted on a 2023 Nova 6m
28" . 25" is too short imo. I use the nova pro wing with boom. I have the lines pretty close together, like i do with windsurfing.
Select to expand quotewavefoiler said..
Just make some out of the size you like dyneema rope, 3-4mm Bungy and plastic hook from your local marine shop. You'll put one on each wing for the cost of one harness line and this one is easy to fit and adjust. Easy to make, easy to use.No flapping about
I love simple DIY solutions like this. Well done.
