Sailing Hardware
Sailing hardware keeps sail control smooth, precise, and dependable under real load, whether you're trimming a mainsheet, hoisting a halyard, or adjusting a spinnaker sheet mid-race. CritPro carries blocks, tackle, and rigging hardware from trusted brands like Harken as part of our complete Boat Outfitting selection.
What to Look for in Sailing Hardware
Select blocks and rigging hardware based on maximum working load, line diameter, and the specific control system you're building. Match sheave size to your line, choose a swivel, becket, or cam cleat configuration based on how the line needs to run, and size hardware to your boat rather than going bigger than necessary.
Bearing Type and What You Pay For
Two blocks of the same size can differ substantially in price, and the bearing is usually why. Ball bearing blocks run with the least friction under light load, which matters on a sheet you trim constantly. Journal bearings carry high static loads well and cost less, which suits halyards and control lines that sit loaded for long stretches rather than running back and forth.
The Harken 80mm Single Mastbase Swivel Element Block is a good example of that tradeoff working in your favor. Element blocks pair the minimum metal needed to protect the sheave with a proven journal bearing, and that is exactly why they are priced noticeably below Harken's other lines at the same size. The sideplates combine forged aluminum with compound curves for strength and are hardcoat-anodized for the marine environment. For a mastbase turning block, where the load is high and steady rather than constantly running, this is the sensible place to save money.
Spinnaker Control and Twing Blocks
A twing block pulls a spinnaker sheet or guy down toward the deck to change the lead angle, and it gets rigged and unrigged constantly as conditions change. That handling is the reason the design details matter more than the load rating.
The Harken 40mm Twing Block uses Carbo Air construction, which is lightweight and low-friction, adapted specifically for up-down sheet and guy duty on dinghies, sport boats, and small keelboats. The opening side plate is the part that earns its place: you can rig or remove the block from a sheet without threading the whole line through it, and a spring biases the plate open once unlatched so the whole thing works one-handed. On a crowded foredeck with one hand on the boat, that is the difference between a quick change and a fumble.
What This Category Covers
This category includes single, double, triple, and fiddle blocks, ratchet and cam cleat blocks, swivel and becket configurations, low-friction Carbo Air and Element series blocks, twing and tweaker blocks, and rigging tracks for genoa leads and travelers.
Complete Your Rigging Setup
Pair your sailing hardware with additional Mounting & Rigging Hardware, or explore our complete Boat Outfitting department.
Browse our complete selection of Sailing Hardware at CritPro.