Harken Ratchet Blocks Q&A Session

If you ever have any questions about the Harken ratchet blocks, this is a great opportunity to see some of the most frequently asked questions regarding the Harken ratchets.

General Information

Harken Ratchamatic®, Carbo Ratchet, and Hexaratchet® blocks are lightweight, strong, and run exclusively on ball bearings for fast trimming under any load.

What are Harken ratchet blocks?

Harken ratchet blocks hold part of the sheet’s load, let you trim and ease with complete control, and enable higher trimming speeds. Ratchets make it much easier to hand-hold higher loads by only allowing the sheave to turn in the trimming direction. When you are holding or releasing the load, the faceted sheave grips the line to reduce fatigue and give you more control. Also, ratchets make faster trimming possible because you don’t have to hold the full force of the sheet while shifting your grip.

Options include ratchet blocks with beckets, adjustable cams, multiple sheaves, adjustable automatic load-sensing mechanisms, and footblock and fiddle configurations. Harken offers ratchet blocks in sizes between 40 and 75 mm (1 9/16"–3").

Where should I use ratchet blocks?

Ratchet blocks are great for any system that is normally adjusted by hand, including mainsheets, jib sheets, spinnakers, vangs, and backstays on everything from dinghies to large keelboats. In addition to increasing the loads you can manage without a winch, they reduce shock loading on your hands and your equipment—for example, a ratchet block can stop an unanticipated gust from yanking the line through your hands or from putting too much load on your cam cleats. 

Some dinghies and sportboats even use two Ratchamatics® in series for turns less than 90 degrees per ratchet block.

What are Harken Hexaratchets® and Carbo Ratchets?

Hexaratchets® and Carbo Ratchets have sheaves that turn only in the trimming direction when the ratchet is turned on. Carbo Ratchets are built with the same lightweight and strong materials as other Harken Carbo blocks, while Hexaratchets® come in the stainless steel-reinforced Classic style. Hexaratchets® and Carbo Ratchets increase holding power by as much as 15:1.

What is a Carbo Ratchamatic®?

The load-sensing Carbo Ratchamatic® has a ratchet that instantly engages when a predetermined load is reached. When unloaded, the ratchet pawl seamlessly disengages to allow the sheet to run out instantly during mark roundings and jibes. The Ratchamatic allows lightly-loaded sheets to run freely in both directions for fingertip control. The preset load threshold can be fine-tuned with an Allen wrench to suit different applications, sailing styles, and body types.

How do I adjust a Carbo Ratchamatic to engage the ratchet at a higher or lower load?

To increase or decrease the load at which the ratchet engages, first, move the sheave so the hole in the sheave’s groove is at the bottom of the block. Insert a 2.5 mm Allen wrench and turn clockwise to engage at higher loads and counterclockwise for lighter loads. You will need to remove the becket before adjusting if it is a becket block.