Rated 4.9 out of 5 by our customers
Rated 4.9 out of 5 by our customers
90 Day Risk Free Returns
Price Match Promise
5 Star Rated by Sailors
Over 60,000+ Orders Shipped
Harken makes some of the most respected sailing hardware in the world. Founded in Wisconsin in 1967 by Peter and Olaf Harken, the company started out building ball bearing blocks that ran smoother and lasted longer than anything else on the water. Today their sailing hardware sits on everything from Olympic dinghies to America's Cup boats to Saturday morning club racers.
At Sailing Chandlery we stock a deep selection of Harken hardware, with the most popular ranges held in stock for next working day dispatch. That includes the Carbo and Carbo Air block ranges in 16mm, 18mm, 22mm, 29mm, 40mm, 57mm and 75mm sizes, the T2 soft-attach and Ratchamatic blocks that dinghy sailors have rapidly adopted, the Cam-Matic cleat range, Harken stainless steel shackles, fairleads, fasteners and the Harken Marine Grip range of non-slip tape. If you can't find the exact part you need, give us a call and we'll source it from Harken for you.
Sailing Chandlery stock Harken blocks in 16mm, 18mm, 22mm, 29mm, 40mm, 57mm and 75mm. We also hold a good stock of Harken shackles, cleats and accessories.
Some frequently asked questions that other customers have asked us about Harken Sailing Hardware.
What is Harken and why is it the leading name in sailing hardware?
Harken is an American sailing hardware brand that has been making some of the best blocks, cleats, and deck fittings in the world since 1967. The company was started by two brothers, Peter and Olaf Harken, who set up shop in a trailer and began making ball-bearing blocks that were genuinely better than anything else available at the time. Word spread quickly, and it wasn't long before Harken hardware was being used at the highest levels of the sport — making its Olympic debut in 1976 and America's Cup debut in 1977.
What Harken blocks are available, and which size do I need?
Harken blocks come in a wide range of sheave sizes from 16mm right up to 75mm, and choosing the right one comes down to two things: the size of rope you're using, and the load the block needs to handle.
What are Harken Carbo blocks and what makes them different from standard blocks?
If you've looked at Harken blocks before, you've almost certainly come across the Carbo range — it's the most popular series Harken make and one of the most widely used bits of sailing hardware in the world. Carbo blocks are made from a tough, glass-fibre reinforced composite material. This keeps them light without sacrificing strength, and it means they won't corrode the way metal blocks can after years of saltwater exposure. Inside each Carbo block is the real magic: free-running ball bearings that reduce friction dramatically compared to plain-bearing alternatives. The difference in how your sheets and control lines feel is immediately noticeable — everything runs more freely and requires less effort to trim, which matters both on a racing course and on a long day's cruising.
What are Harken cleats and how do they work?
Harken cam cleats are the gold standard in sailing cleats, and once you've used a set you'll understand why so many sailors won't put anything else on their boat. The key feature that sets them apart is the ball-bearing cam mechanism. Most cam cleats require you to draw the line through the cleat to engage it, but Harken cleats work differently — a simple downward flick of the wrist snaps the line in, and it holds securely even under high load. When you want to release it, pull upwards and it lets go instantly. No wrestling with it, no fiddling — just clean, fast, reliable line control.
What sizes do Harken blocks come in?
Harken blocks come in seven main sheave sizes: 16mm, 18mm, 22mm, 29mm, 40mm, 57mm and 75mm. The 16mm to 29mm blocks are most common on dinghies and small keelboats for control lines, kickers and outhauls. The 40mm and 57mm blocks handle mainsheets and high-load systems on bigger dinghies, skiffs and small yachts. 75mm blocks are mainly used as primary blocks on larger keelboats and yachts.
What is the Harken T2 range and why is it so popular with dinghy sailors?
The T2 range is Harken's soft-attach block family. Instead of a metal head fitting that shackles onto a padeye, T2 blocks attach using a Dyneema loop that splices or lashes directly to the boat. That makes them lighter, easier to position exactly where you want them, and quicker to swap if you change your rig setup. The T2 Ratchamatic 40mm and 57mm blocks have become especially popular for dinghy mainsheet systems.
How fast can you ship Harken parts?
Most of the popular Harken hardware we stock ships the same working day if you order before 2pm Monday to Friday. That covers the standard Carbo block range, the Cam-Matic 150, the T2 blocks and the Marine Grip range. Less common Harken parts may have a short lead time while we source them direct from Harken. If you need a specific part urgently, give us a call on 01268 222912 and we'll confirm stock.
