Harken celebrates 50 years with new products and plans

The 001 bearing block was where it all started for Harken. Peter and Olaf Harken realised that their slippery plastic bearings released lines more quickly than greasy metal ones, and were less prone to jam. It gave 1960s racing sailors an edge.

The blocks were sold to American sailors Lowell North for his Star campaign and Buddy Friedrichs for his bid in the Dragons at the Mexico Olympics. The Harken brand was born.

The company expanded with a new venture, Vanguard Boats, based in Pewaukee, Wisconsin, building 470s, Flying Dutchman, Finn and Optimist dinghies. This continued until the 1980s when the company acquired Italian winch makers Barbarossa, and Harken winches soon became a gold standard brand.

Today, Harken employs 400 people worldwide, of which 230 or are in the US, and also has offices in France, Sweden, Australia,

New Zealand, Poland and Italy. Its products cover every type of deck gear from pedestal winches and high pressure hydraulic systems for America’s Cup boats to sports wear. It made new lightweight blocks for the 12-metres in 1978 and the winches for Team New Zealand’s America’s Cup winning