Supplier Focus: Harken
Harken stand out as one of the best known names in the Industry, having been at the forefront of design engineering and high quality production since the late 1960's. When brothers Peter and Olaf Harken began manufacturing blocks and fittings in Pewaukee, USA they sought to solve a single issue, friction. With a sole focus on reducing friction to enhance the sailing experience and improve the ease of sail trimming the brothers created an enduring and internationally recognised brand which today remains as one of the leading brands for high performance hardware.
Whilst much of Harken's focus has been on high performance racing applications they have also taken their knowledge and knowhow and translated this to the cruising market through the development of the Elements range.
What makes Harken stand out?
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Efficiency under load: Harken’s block design focuses on low friction and smooth running, particularly noticeable on mainsheet systems, jib sheets and control lines where small gains matter.
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Hardware that’s easy to specify: Clear sizing, line guides, and consistent ranges make it straightforward to match a block to rope diameter and application.
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Strong performance pedigree: Harken has a long-standing reputation in race environments, but the same design thinking benefits cruising setups too especially where ease of handling and durability are priorities.
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Practical details: From soft-attach options to compact form factors, Harken’s “small improvements” tend to add up to a better deck layout.