Harken boom and traveler blocks

[mmadge]

Nice to have or significant improvement to original blocks?

 

[Emilio Castelli]

Nice to have or significant improvement to original blocks?

Nice to have.
E

 

[ang]

definitely worth it especially if the originals are worn

 

[LaLi]

If your old Allen blocks are ok, keep them. But if you're going to change them anyway, go with the Harkens.

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[Andy B]

Significant improvement for me. The sheet runs through the blocks more easily making tacking and bearing away onto the run smoother and you do not need to keep replacing a mountain of tape on the traveller block to stop the tape giving way and locking the blocks at the most inconvienient moment.

 

[LaLi]

you do not need to keep replacing a mountain of tape on the traveller block

You don't replace it... you just add more and more

But yes, getting rid of the tape is probably the best feature of the Harkens. You could even go for a compromise and change only the traveller blocks.

_

 

[Eyeper]

Can someone show me which Harken blocks are appropriate for the traveler? Year ago the ones I used had stainless steel "cheeks" which were wearing away the deck over at the fairleads.

 

[thieuster]

It's this one:

It's useful to shop around for that. There are 'alternatives' (= non-OEM equipment) available. Again, shop around on the internet if you are into that. But that's not Harken.

Last week I spotted an Aussie-built boat with protective strips across the rear deck. Not original and perhaps not allowed during official regattas, but for club racing etc the perfect protection of your boat's deck.

Menno

 

[LaLi]

the ones I used had stainless steel "cheeks"

Those weren't legal. The real ones don't actually say "Harken" but "Laser" (and you don't even find them in the Harken catalogue).

There are 'alternatives' (= non-OEM equipment) available.

I don't think anyone's produced lookalike copies... yet. Go for the real thing.

Last week I spotted an Aussie-built boat with protective strips across the rear deck. Not original and perhaps not allowed

We talked about this a while ago, and there's a new-ish interpretation (it's still number 2) that allows deck protection at the traveller fairleads. How far it can extend ("across the deck"?) is anybody's guess, though.

_