Harness for Women

[Ocean Girl]

I am looking for a personal safety harness that is shaped like a figure 8 (in a way). It is especially for a women's shape. Anyone know where I can find one, who makes it?

Thanks,
Erika

[Bash]

The Tacoma Womens' Sailing Association conducted harness tests, and discovered that even some harnesses designed expressly for women were uncomfortable, especially under load. Body type was apparently a major factor.

One inflatable harness that has a somewhat figure-8 design is the Spinlock Deckvest. Some women swear by them, others complain.

[Ocean Girl]

Yep, just read a long 20+ page product test by US Sailing on many of the well known harnesses, many of the harnesses are no longer made.
I loved my figure eight harness. I was nearly thrown overboard by a rogue wave and was yanked back at the life lines. For a second or two my full load (falling load) was on that harness and it was very comfortable and stable. It had nice soft webbing and I could wear it with just my bathing suit. It was a little tight with my weather gear">foul weather gear but because of the design, it did not encumber my range of motion. I may have one made if can't find a reputable maker. Get to go play in the salty sea soon, need me a harness .
Thanks for the input.
Erika

[Ocean Girl]

Thought I'd try again here. I have a friend who owns a sail shop who said he'd sew me up a harness if I sketch out what I want. I have tried on all the store bought stuff and it feels a waste of money considering none of them fit right and will surely slip over my head if I sustain a nasty overboad incident.

So has anyone made their own harness or have a good design that fit well over a woman's curves. I had a harness that was of a figure 8 design that worked great, if anyone has one of these it would be great to talk to you about the design.

If not, I will wing it by memory of my old harness. A specially made harness to fit my physical shape and size must be better than what I see in the marine store, a stupid tshirt comes in more sizes than a vital safety harness..go figure.
Cheers,
Erika

[avb3]

Boy oh boy oh boy... for a minute I thought I was on SpursRus.com with a title like Harness for a woman

No offense intended!!!!

[Healer52]

My wife finds her Spinlock adequate (her word).

However, any harness has the potential to go over your head, unless it has leg/crotch straps. They don't have to be tight, but they have to be there. Several manufacturers have add-on straps, or a sailmaker/parachute rigger (or anyone with a heavy sewing machine and materials) can sew up some.

[Ocean Girl]

Yep, it sounds like the spinlock is the only one out there for women.

A well fitted harness will not slip over you unless you throw your arms up and wiggle. The west marine ultimate which got OK reviews by USSailing didn't even have a positive "lock" for the self adjusting strap around the chest, I guess I could adjust it and have it sewn in place.

I found a picture of Y shaped harness that might be easier to make (a more simple design) anyone have the Y shaped harness?

Also why have the attach point D-rings vertical when in a fall the load would require a horizontal D ring?

Saturday will meet with my friend to see what he thinks.

Erika

[Hudson Force]

Rock climbing and mountain climbing harnesses meet the same life saving criteria and at some locations are easier to find,- many online options too. We have a pair of harnesses that we purchased as rock climbing gear that suit us well.

[David_Old_Jersey]

Originally Posted by Ocean Girl

So has anyone made their own harness or have a good design that fit well over a woman's curves. I had a harness that was of a figure 8 design that worked great, if anyone has one of these it would be great to talk to you about the design.

I'm imagining you in this:-

Female Harness - custom fitted by DOJ

Not sure if that helps you at all................

.............but it's working well for me

[Blue Stocking]

Originally Posted by David_Old_Jersey

I'm imagining you in this:-

Female Harness - custom fitted by DOJ

Not sure if that helps you at all................

.............but it's working well for me

DOJ,

I have been waiting for your contribution. LMFAO

You are as dependable as the sunrise

[Ocean Girl]

Originally Posted by CaptForce

Rock climbing and mountain climbing harnesses meet the same life saving criteria and at some locations are easier to find,- many online options too. We have a pair of harnesses that we purchased as rock climbing gear that suit us well.

Thanks for the advice will try some rock climbing gear, do they all have leg straps? All the rock climbing stuff I have seen relies on legs straps. I know me, if it isn't easy I wont wear it.

To me it seems the harnesses available today are really for "show" they are real pieces of poop! except the spinlock at $250+ and they are just too bulky. I am a bit surprised more women haven't commented on what they are using, I guess the age of inflatable life vest are pushing out the old fashioned plain harnesses.

To the peanut gallery...


BTW DOJ, I have that exact hammock but am not near as cute as she is.

Thanks still hoping for more input!
Erika