Blocks - Lewmar v Harken v Barton v AN Other. Which to go for?

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Stooriefit

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Folks,

I'm going to replace the 20 year old Lewmar blocks in my mainsheet (34 ft cruiser). The question is which make to go for? What makes the Harkens so much more expensive than even the Lewmars?

I'm not aware of any reviews being done on like for like blocks but maybe I've just missed them.

Anyway thoughts / comments welcome.

Thanks
 
I can heartily recommend Garhauer from California.

About half the price of Harken, and beautifully made. I bought my last set of mainsheet blocks just before Christmas. Stainless bodies with delrin roller bearings.

Shipped (including VAT on the shipped price plus shipping costs)came out at £30 each for a 67mm block. HMRC don't seem to bother with import duty either.
The weak pound will have put up the price a bit mind you.

Mauri Pro Sailing in Texas have a very helpful website and I have previously bought Garhauer gear from them, but they do not appear to stock the full range.
 
Harken are good but if buying look at costs from America, even with shipping costs are cheaper, example the 150 cleats here retail about £30, in America you can pick them up for about £20.00 including post! Also check out Ebay Internation sellers as again some great prices. I purchase from this guy riggingbyhales from Ebay
 
IMHO Harken are not universally best. But definitely the most expensive popular brand!
Garhauer are at least as good, but much cheaper.
 
We had Lewmar winches and had no problems just annual servicing. I don't see the point of buying Harken given their expense although they seem to be the favourite for racing achts, the no expense spared brigade. Same with Kevlar sails.
 
I did a similar replacement on a similar sized boat a couple of years ago. I ordered Lewmar Synchro Cruiser blocks to replace the original Lewmar kit. These have performed very well, with some hard use, but every time I look at the size of the integral shackle on the blocks I think that they look very flimsy compared with the c. 1988 versions. These look as though they were built in a Clyde shipyard.

Maybe that is progress and hi-tec materials but, for me, the jury is still out.
 
Thanks for the views. Not sure that I can justify the Harken costs so I'm probably going with Lewmar. However will check out the US sourced ones.
 
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