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The 57mm block from Harken is the mainsheet block of choice on a huge number of dinghies, catamarans and small keelboats.
The range is built around the 57mm Carbo ratchet, which takes the strain out of holding a loaded sheet. Choose a switchable ratchet with an on/off switch, or the Ratchamatic, which engages automatically as the load builds. Higher grip sheaves are available for boats with bigger sails. You will also find T2 soft attach blocks, cheek and fiddle blocks, and Zircon blocks with ceramic bearings.
Harken 57mm blocks are lightweight, strong and reliable, with a fibre reinforced composite construction that gives a great strength to weight ratio. You can expect breaking loads of up to 2,270kg.
Explore other Harken block and pulley sizes on our Harken blocks page.
Some frequently asked questions that other customers have asked us about Harken 57mm Blocks.
What are Harken 57mm blocks used for?
Harken 57mm blocks are mainly used as mainsheet blocks on dinghies, catamarans and small keelboats. The 57mm Carbo ratchet is one of the most common mainsheet blocks in dinghy sailing, including on the ILCA. They are also used for jib and spinnaker sheets on larger boats. The range has breaking loads of up to 2,270kg.
What is a Harken Ratchamatic block?
A Harken Ratchamatic is an automatic ratchet block. It runs freely in both directions when the sheet is lightly loaded, then engages the ratchet as the load builds. That gives you a free running sheet in light winds and through gybes, and full holding power when the breeze is up, with no switch to flick.
What do x1.5 Grip and x2 Grip mean on Harken ratchet blocks?
x1.5 Grip and x2 Grip describe how much holding power the ratchet sheave has compared with the standard version. A higher grip sheave holds more of the sheet load for you, which helps with big sails, thin sheets and long, windy races. The trade off is that the sheet takes a little more effort to ease.
Should I choose a Harken 40mm or 57mm ratchet block?
Choose a 57mm ratchet for a mainsheet, and a 40mm ratchet for jib and spinnaker sheets or the mainsheet on a small dinghy. The larger sheave on the 57mm puts more of the rope in contact with the ratchet, so it holds more load, and it turns thicker sheets more easily.
What size rope fits a Harken 57mm block?
Harken 57mm blocks take rope up to a maximum of 10mm in diameter, and work best with 6mm to 10mm sheets. With a ratchet block the lower limit matters too, as a sheet that is too thin won’t seat in the sheave and grip properly. Check the rope range on the product page before you buy.
