Skiff harness

Originally posted by Contender443 I have the Magic Marine Smart harness with their quick release system. This system looks pretty sturdy and would be difficult to release accidetally. I have not seen the RWO system except in the adverts - it looks like the button release system could be too easy to release, especially when you don't want it to. However the fact that it saves your hook on the trapeze ring and can be re-used immediately looks good. Shame that Iain C cut away the plastic retainer.

 

I was worried about the button being too easy to press but it is flush with it's plastic housing so will only release if you really need it to.  I have climbed in over the back of my Cherub numerous times and never released it yet by accident.  It was this fact that made me take the plastic hook retainer off...but it's not cut, just removed, so I could put it back on if required.  On the Cherub, you have no main jammer, so to tack from the wire I pass the main to my tiller hand, reach up for the handle and unhook using the elastic tension on the trapeze loop.  You just don't have enough time or enough hands to disenage the hook halfway across the boat.

Yes my Magic Marine is wearing badly in the bum, but if you want an adjustable harness this seems to be the best.  I have a Banks off-the-shelf for my use but occasionally I take out the odd crew and so I need an adjustable.  Having nearly drowned once by getting snagged on a buckle I use a Magic Marine because all the buckles are covered with velcro - but even they catch occasionally.  I have never been snagged by a hook - the new rule was clearly devised by somebody who doesn't trapeze.

I have the Magic Marine Smart harness with their quick release system. This system looks pretty sturdy and would be difficult to release accidetally.

I have not seen the RWO system except in the adverts - it looks like the button release system could be too easy to release, especially when you don't want it to. However the fact that it saves your hook on the trapeze ring and can be re-used immediately looks good. Shame that Iain C cut away the plastic retainer.

Thanks for the advice guys.  I ended up going for the Banks skif pro jobbie with the RWO QRH system.  Seems to work fine (once I threw away the rubber retainer!) although I am a little concerned that the mechanism seems very susceptible to sand entry which makes it more trick to "eject" (regardless of trying to flush it with clean water) although I'm yet to try this in anger!

Unlike my old self-undoing Magic Marine one (ok it is very old) there is NOTHING to snag on anything save the hook itself.  And with no buckles at all around your waist/arse area you don't start digging them into the foam of the boat if you fall over or struggle getting back in after a swim. 

It has got much more comfy as it has "worn in" although the shoulder strap could do with shortening a bit.  Banks were also really good when there were some delivery problems (carrier, not Banks). I'd certainly recommend it/them.

 

 

alright Iain,

I bought a crewsaver adjustable nappy harness the other week. It's not quick release but i see that as a bonus as i don't like any of the current designs and think that they're more unsafe than a fixed hook. The harness is really comfortable and i think is better than the custom ones as you can adjust it depending on how many layers you are wearing. The other bonus is that all the adjustments are covered so that you don't end up getting caught on everything. Feel free to have a go with it at the weekend. worth the money in my book

Tim