Help me choose a harness

I've been using the Hobie Convertible Harness for about a year. It took some breaking in, but it's pretty comfortable now. It's got really stiff seat and side panels that spread out the load better.

The half harness is $89, the convertible is $140, the full harness is $160 (they all include the spreader bar).

Buy the cheapest you can find that does the job. The new rules about harnesses come in (in theory) Jan 2005 that may make a whole swathe of harnesses obsolete.

long discussion here

Personally, I like the bucket belt for buoy races and the full length for distance races.
Rick

Will new harnesses be available? I might as well purchase the harness with the quick release hook. Thats the rule you are mentioning correct? Are those harnesses even available? And where can I read more about this rule?

Is there a link to the new harness they want us to use? I want to place the order on monday. Any other suggestions?

For now I going with the Gul Pro with 9" spreader bar. Rick you do have it in stock correct? ima need two.

If you read the linked thread, and my last post pointing to the thread on the ISAF web site, you will see that the ISAF are dodging the issue at the moment. Hence my comment about buying a cheap one now. We do not know which harnesses will be OK and which will not, this is the whole gripe of the situation.

Yep read it. But I was just wondering if there would be a harness available now. I do remember that discussion from a while back.

Sounds good enough.

Thanks for the heads up.

As I have said before, I think ISAF is in a bind about this. How can they mandate what kind of harness you have to use without ISAF assuming some liability if something bad happens to you BECAUSE you used the type of harness they require? Kinda takes the harness manufacturers off the hook, so to speak, doesn't it?

As I also have said before, I think ISAF's power should extend only to recommending, not to requiring.

I am totally opposed to this "rule," and I think everybody should e-mail ISAF and oppose it and demand to know what they are "thinking" (if indeed they are thinking about it at all).

In addition...

The harness style is not the issue, it is the spreader and hook to dogbone connection that is in question. That is the smaller part of a harness cost. Likely you will be able to replace the spreader and your dogbones once they figure out what they are trying to prohibit.

I agree with Matt, Mary and Rick: I don't think the harness will change much, only the spreader attachment. As Mary said, I can't imagine being "required" to use a specific type of harness system for fear of a liability nightmare. In bouy racing I use a Gull Pro that has served me well, but for distance racing the ONLY harness to use is the long-leg style like the Worrell XL. Any other type will lead to pain and injury.

Can we get the Worrell in the UK ?

Got a Linky ?

The "compliant" (probably!) spreader bars have been on the market in the UK since last year. Price for the spreader bar is about 60 GBP ($3million US) compared to prices of "conventional" complete harnesses which are roughly 60 GBP to 100 GBP ($3-5million US ). So still a significant cost IF we have to change.

$3 million US is way out of my range for a spreader bar. I'll take my chances with my old Murrays model.

I think those were a short run limited time kind of deal. However, I too would like to know if they're still available - anyone? They are heavy and I wouldn't recommend them for around the cans. Once you get that thing fully absorbed with water, it's probably 6 lbs or better.

Keysailing and Rick Bliss still have some Worrell harnesses available. I don't know if they are going to make another run of these.

Mike Hill
www.stlouiscats.com

For now I going with the Gul Pro with 9

spreader bar. Rick you do have it in stock correct? ima need two. "

We have them at
http://store.catsailor.com/tek9.asp?pg=products&specific=jrppfrdmk

or you can look in that department in case you are interested in another type or make:

http://store.catsailor.com/tek9.asp?pg=products&grp=273
Good luck,
Rick

Rick I placed an order for two of the Gul Pro with 9" spreader bar. Please if you may be so kind, I want one in medium and one in small. I did not specify it in the order, I only can specify both of them MEDIUM.

Thank you very much.

Robi,
Please send your order modification request by e-mail to rick@catsailor.com And do it right away.

Done, I just sent the email. I also said the same thing, on the notes section of the order.

If I do recieve both mediums, it wont be a big deal. I will just keep communicating via email, and go from there.