Harken vs Allen

   Harken seem to have just about the best reputation of any brand in the marine trade, though personally I have had two of their ratchets die on me both less than 3 years old.  The modern Allen kit is good looking though I have no experience with it.
Is Harken still worth paying extra for? 

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Guests Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Guest Group	Post Options Post Reply Quote Guests Quote Reply Topic: Harken vs Allen Posted: 31 May 21 at 6:40pm
	Harken seem to have just about the best reputation of any brand in the marine trade, though personally I have had two of their ratchets die on me both less than 3 years old. The modern Allen kit is good looking though I have no experience with it. Is Harken still worth paying extra for?

Rupert Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 11 Aug 04 Location: Whitefriars sc Online Status: Offline Posts: 8956	Post Options Post Reply Quote Rupert Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 31 May 21 at 7:08pm
	Probably depends on the boat and how close to the operational edge of the kit you are.
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deadrock Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Groupie Joined: 24 Jun 08 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 85	Post Options Post Reply Quote deadrock Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 31 May 21 at 9:15pm
	ISTR Harken ratchet blocks used to be guaranteed for five years. (My very worn hexaratchet exceeds this by several multiples.) Is this not still the case?

Paramedic Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 27 Jan 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 929	Post Options Post Reply Quote Paramedic Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 31 May 21 at 9:28pm
	Allen kit has a lifetime warranty. To be honest there is little to choose with most of this stuff now. If I was being picky I'd say harken metal cleats and ball bearing traveller cars are better. Edited by Paramedic - 31 May 21 at 9:29pm

seastate Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 23 Aug 12 Online Status: Offline Posts: 4	Post Options Post Reply Quote seastate Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 31 May 21 at 9:42pm
	Agree with Paramedic but would say that the Allen A2020 single block cannot be beaten on price or quality and that came from a Harken rep! Ratchets I’d probably still go with Harken but small blocks for controls I’d save my money and buy Allen every time.

Oatsandbeans Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 19 Sep 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 382	Post Options Post Reply Quote Oatsandbeans Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 01 Jun 21 at 4:58am
	I always found the Ronstan ratchets good-possibly a bit aggressive on the rope but really good at holding.

Pointing High Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 19 May 19 Location: Swindon Online Status: Offline Posts: 7	Post Options Post Reply Quote Pointing High Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 02 Jun 21 at 6:31am
	I have found that there used to be a clear advantage with Harken, but over the last 10 years that has eroded away as Harken have moved to more carbo(plastic) blocks and they still have plastic bearings that wear. Allen have really stepped up their game and now have a superior actual performance on their blocks, and many of their other fittings. The main difference now is "kerb appeal"in that a Harken fit out probably still looks a little racier in the boat. I just buy individual fittings from all manufacturers based upon their suitability for the job rather than worrying about the brand.

davidyacht Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 29 Mar 05 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1345	Post Options Post Reply Quote davidyacht Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 02 Jun 21 at 7:15am
	My guess is that many of us now buy new boats fitted out. The builders buy Harken or Allen fitting out packs at a discount, so there is little mix and matching. I remember the last block or cleat that I had to replace, although a twenty year old Harken mainsheet ratchet is probably due replacement. The days of buying blocks and cleats from a chandlery to improve a system seem long gone. Personally I like the Harken product, probably because I cannot delete the memories of some pretty rubbish Holt Allen product from the past, but Allen now seem to have some neat niche products. I like Ronstan Orbit auto ratchet blocks, good holding and you can switch the ratchet off.
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iGRF Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 07 Mar 11 Location: Hythe Online Status: Offline Posts: 6499	Post Options Post Reply Quote iGRF Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 02 Jun 21 at 11:44am
	I'm very much in the Allen camp, have been watching their progress and enjoying their product over the past few years, good to see a healthy UK company..
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