What Brand of Harness do you Use?

[Snore]

After reading about issues with Spinlocks, I am rethinking my Mustang PFD with restrain system.

What brand of harness do others use? Did you add crotch straps?

Thanks

Bill

[MarkSF]

It would be helpful if you could describe what the issues with the Spinlocks are.....

[Snore]

Originally Posted by MarkSF

It would be helpful if you could describe what the issues with the Spinlocks are.....

See http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...nt-110927.html

[zeehag]

i have sospenders. with pfd

[ryon]

I have spent hundreds of hours aloft in a Singing Rock. Not that it's any better than others, it's just that's the one I happen to have.

I went to the Spinlock site, and see a very nice over-the-shoulders harness that is probably just fine for working on deck, but going aloft, yes, you want those leg straps, and as much padding as you can get. Sometimes it's necessary hang from your harness and use both hands on your work. A shortie harness won't do it.

A full body harness is an even better idea, because it will hold you upright in case you slip. A mountain climber's harness like mine will hang you head-down.

[RainDog]

Spinlock!

[conachair]

Lightweight climbing harness with a grigri. Can't remember the harness brand.

[zeehag]

i dont go aloft--i find a nice young handsome male dumb enough to climb....he uses 3 harnesses and trust s no one.

[bobconnie]

We are still useing 30 yr old USCG harness sets with crouch straps with a SO Spenders over that with straps to the harness! Ive changed the main lines a couple of times over the years! And we have 2 snap lines, for when ya have to change from one line to another! hook up a new one before ya unhook the first one! before it gets bad enough to have to hook up, we REEF and prepare! and then we can stay in the cockpit or in our case the pilot house! and ride it out ! but we do have a ketch with a staysail with 2 reefs, and a mizzen with 2 reefs, and it takes a big bunch of wind for us to need anything less then this !!! But anytime it's even looks like a blow we hook up to do anything on deck!! But we are OLD LOL

[I.Grind]

I use Spinlock and because of me a bunch of crew mates got them too. I told them about the problems. Basically, the leg loops are a PITA. The popular solution is to ditch the loops and rig as crotch straps. Nothing beats the Deckvest for comfort and staying out of the way (those big D rings suck when you are working a coffee grinder).

[Zanshin]

Originally Posted by conachair

Lightweight climbing harness with a grigri. Can't remember the harness brand.

I used climbing gear as well, the popular brand is Petzl, which despite being French is what I have and use. Ascenders, Descenders, Grigri and a very comfortable harness for wearing in the cockpit and another commercial one for going aloft.

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by Zanshin

I used climbing gear as well, the popular brand is Petzl, which despite being French is what I have and use. Ascenders, Descenders, Grigri and a very comfortable harness for wearing in the cockpit and another commercial one for going aloft.

" despite being French " what a strange thing to say, been on a TGV lately lol

Dave

[Zanshin]

goboatingnow - Since I'm German, making snide references to the French is almost obligatory. Even after 4 French boats and working in France it is difficult to pass up an opportunity...

[Dockhead]

I have a Petzl climbing harness for going aloft -- excellent kit, but I don't think that's what the OP was asking about.

For a lifejacket/harness combination, I use Seago 275 newton jackets with integral harnesses. They tested well, however -- problems with the Spinlocks were not revealed in the same test, so I wonder if I can trust it. I think it's probably not a bad idea to jump in a swimming pool with your lifejacket and make sure it works as it is supposed to. Maybe I'll get around to that sea safety course this winter.

Lifejackets are useless without crotch or leg straps. They pull right over your head. We know that from the Fastnet '79 disaster where several deaths were attributed to this particular failure. Lifejackets without crotch straps should be banned, IMHO.

[Zanshin]

I should add that as a singlehander I will use a harness at all times when doing night sails and will use one when leaving the cockpit while sailing during the day; comfort is paramount and flotation is unimportant (it would merely delay the inevitable) so I usually use the lightweight climbin harness although I do have Spinlock gear aboard.