RELAY

Like Grandma’s Sofa 

You could almost think Gunsails took a plush cushion from grandma’s sofa, added a belt and hook, and voilà – the Relay waist harness. That’s how comfortably it hugs your back. On the way to the water, you might even forget you're already wearing it. The edges are well padded, and the large contact area adapts nicely to the body, even though the 3D shaping is fairly moderate. A single wide strap secures the spreader bar, limiting adjustment options somewhat. 
Note: The Trace model is very similar to the Relay but comes with two straps per side, allowing for more precise fine-tuning! 

The closure system – dubbed Secure Lock by Gunsails – opens and closes easily with a bit of stomach-sucking, meaning you don’t need to re-adjust the straps every time. Only the thin safety tab with its loop is a slight weak point; it doesn’t always slide cleanly into place. So it's worth checking that the quick-release is properly locked before heading out. 

Freedom for Moves and Smart Accessories 

On the water, the Gunsails Relay distributes pull evenly across its generously sized back panel. Even with big sails, there’s no need to worry – the harness absorbs the force of a fully powered 7.8 without making you pre-book a physio appointment. At the same time, it never feels restrictive; all typical maneuvers and movements are handled without fuss, and the hook sits at a medium height. 

It’s important to adjust the Relay properly before heading out. If it rides up slightly, the neoprene strap under the hook can stick out and interfere when hooking in. That issue, however, can be solved quickly and affordably with the optional Protection Pad – a padded sleeve for the hook that adds extra support. 
With that minor caveat, the Relay impresses as an extremely comfortable and a surprisingly affordable waist harness.