Dinghy development: Harken vs Allen

Print Page | Close Window

Harken vs Allen

Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: Dinghy classes
Forum Name: Dinghy development
Forum Discription: The latest moves in the dinghy market
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=13796
Printed Date: 27 Jun 25 at 10:54pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.665y - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Harken vs Allen

Posted By: Guests
Subject: Harken vs Allen
Date 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?

Replies:

Posted By: Rupert
Date Posted: 31 May 21 at 7:08pm

Probably depends on the boat and how close to the operational edge of the kit you are.

-------------
Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686

Posted By: deadrock
Date 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?

Posted By: Paramedic
Date 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.

Posted By: seastate
Date 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.

Posted By: Oatsandbeans
Date 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.

Posted By: Pointing High
Date 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.

Posted By: davidyacht
Date 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.

-------------
Happily living in the past

Posted By: iGRF
Date 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..

-------------
https://www.corekite.co.uk/snow-accessories-11-c.asp" rel="nofollow - Snow Equipment Deals https://www.corekite.co.uk" rel="nofollow - New Core Kite website