Hiking

   Straight leg hiking is much beta i find. Ok so i only sail a 200 but it is def alot less painfull in the long run. You end up putting more strain on the knees etc if you use the muscles over the kneecap when the leg is bent (and you will if you bent leg hike.) Also you and up furhte away from the boat which means you get a bit more leverage (how much is debatable) 
You may have to adjust the lengths of the toestraps if you are going to change between hiking positions but have a go at both and see which one you can actualy stay out the whole beat doing and go for that one. 

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KnightMare Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 08 Feb 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1682	Post Options Post Reply Quote KnightMare Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Hiking Posted: 25 May 05 at 2:47pm
	Straight leg hiking is much beta i find. Ok so i only sail a 200 but it is def alot less painfull in the long run. You end up putting more strain on the knees etc if you use the muscles over the kneecap when the leg is bent (and you will if you bent leg hike.) Also you and up furhte away from the boat which means you get a bit more leverage (how much is debatable) You may have to adjust the lengths of the toestraps if you are going to change between hiking positions but have a go at both and see which one you can actualy stay out the whole beat doing and go for that one.


Calum_Reid Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Groupie Joined: 09 Apr 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 59	Post Options Post Reply Quote Calum_Reid Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 25 May 05 at 2:16pm
	Having sailed the 400 for 4 or 5 yrs now i would say the only way is to bent leg hike it! Thats what 99% of the fleet do! If u can get ur crew to bent leg hike but then lean back it can still be very efficent! Sore on the abs though! till u get used to it! How u geting on with the 400 btw?


NeilP Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 23 Nov 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 271	Post Options Post Reply Quote NeilP Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 25 May 05 at 2:07pm
	As I understand it, straight-leg hiking was developed as much to restrict damage to knees/hips/lower back as for efficiency. I found when I changed to straight-leg (for all boats - Scorpion, FD, Laser, Osprey etc) it took about a fortnight to get used to the different muscle-groups being used, and it is now more comfortable than bent-leg. There is no doubt in my mind it is also more efficient. Neil

Stefan Lloyd Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 03 Aug 04 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1599	Post Options Post Reply Quote Stefan Lloyd Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 25 May 05 at 1:15pm
	Unless you enjoy pain, the only reason for straight-leg is when the boat doesn't allow anything else e.g. Laser.

headfry Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 15 Jul 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 359	Post Options Post Reply Quote headfry Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 25 May 05 at 12:46pm
	Sorry not sure where to post this question Which is more effective- bent leg hiking or straight leg hiking (in RS 400) help please!