www.guycribb.com/userfiles/documents/The%20Truth%20About%20Harness%20Lines.pdf

as far as length is concerned. when you hold the boom with your hand the lines should just touch your elbow.

Barto,

The Cribb article is good.

FOr starting out - go a bit lonnger than recommended especially with a seat harness - this will make it easier to get in and out.

I would recommend starting with 24" lines and moving shorter when you become more experiences.

I use the rule where I place the front of the harness line 2 hand spans (~40cm) from the boom/mast connection , with the back harness connection ~ 1 handspan (20cm) apart. and then adjust as per Decrepit's instruction.

Keeping the lines longer and the width of the harness lines wider (More than 1 hand span) will allow for more control and allow you to balance the movement of the sail draft (where the force is coming from in the sail).

I would recommend a waist harness for starting

- J

You defenately have to make a few nice catapults at the beginning. people who are watching you also want to have a bit fun.

to te technical site i think the best is like in many other situations in life stay relaxed and go with the flow. most people will advise to depower with sheeting out and pulling the masthand in. try thr opposit. you will fly in a nice circular motion gentely around to the leeward site of the board and if you give a bit of effort you land almost in waterstart position.
i actually found joy in this.
have fun with your new toy.

As you are sailing (without harness) keep bringing your hands closer together until your hands are touching each other and you can still control the sail and hold power in it (ie. you are not simply sailing along with the sail let right out spilling all the wind).

This is the point of balance, and is where you should place your harness lines.

Have fun,
Harrow.