Harken announces the addition of Zircon high efficiency blocks to the product line. They are the most efficient small boat blocks Harken has ever made. The best trimmers can feel speed in their sheets. They feel acceleration first, before the apparent wind increases. Before the instruments confirm. They are the first to know when the pressure gets softer. And they respond, matching sail shapes to new conditions immediately. Better sail shape is often the difference between winning and not.
The core of the new Zircon blocks is industrial ceramic ball bearings mounted inside caged races. The cages keep these bearings separated so they do not bunch, touch, and stop each other. The result is a very free-running block with less energy lost to friction than in even our current Carbo blocks. Give an unloaded Zircon block a strong spin, and it spins an incredibly long time. Ceramic is a more familiar name for the metallic oxide Zirconia. Zircon bearings are more than 700% stronger in compression than stainless bearings of the same size. So, they will not deform if used within the recommended load limits. More importantly, they do not absorb as much energy before starting to roll. This becomes evident when you need to ease a sail in very light air. Zircon feels like you can push the line out. At top wind range, you can rig more mainsheet purchase so you can physically trim harder—but still ease through those additional sheaves when the wind lightens up.
Zircon blocks should not be considered an all-purpose option. They are more efficient than any other small boat block, but they are more expensive too. Here is how we see it:
>SAILING IS COMPETITIVE. If we do not offer this level of performance, someone else might.
>SAILORS KNOW BEST. If they try them and find value, they will become converts. The opposite is also true. Zircon blocks are available in single and double blocks, with or without beckets, and in 40 mm and 57 mm sheaves.
You will find Muir Marine Qld at Shop 3, 453 Esplanade, Manly QLD, ph 07 3396 9988, muirmarine.com.au
Published in print August-December 2024
