44
P
E
I
J
Ordering Big Boat Blocks
Mainsheet
Mainsheets are usually attached near the end or the middle of the boom, depending on accessibility and whether the boat is used 
for racing or cruising. The farther forward a mainsheet system is on the boom, the higher the loads it sees. Systems with multiple attachment 
points spread the load over the boom. Use the table to choose the appropriate Black Magic, Element, or stainless steel blocks for your main-
sail area. See pages 262-263 for common configurations.
Running Backstays
Crews use running backstays to adjust mast bend for different wind conditions. This controls headsail sag as well as the camber (depth) of the 
mainsail. Use Black Magic Air Runner blocks with higher breaking strengths than your runner wire. 
Mastbase Lead Blocks
Leading halyards and control lines aft allows crews to raise and lower sails or make tuning adjustments from the cockpit. Attach blocks to the 
mast collar post or padeyes, or mount mastbase halyard leads to the deck. The table below sizes Black Magic, Element, ESP, 
stainless steel, and mastbase blocks for different foretriangle heights and luff lengths. See page 268 for common configurations.
1. Determine block size and type
The tables below are a guideline for typical applications. Additional rigging tips are available at 
http://www.harken.com. 
2. Contact 
If you have any questions, please contact your dealer or Harken Technical Service.
Note: These hardware specifications assume a boat of moderate displacement sailing in normal conditions. Ultralight displacement boats 
(ULDB) may use smaller hardware. Heavy displacement boats and multihulls often require stronger hardware.
Maximum mainsail area (P x E x .5 x 1.1**)
45 mm Element*
57 mm low-load
Black Magic
60 mm Element*
57 mm high-load
Black Magic
75 mm low-load
Black Magic/
75 mm ESP
80 mm Element*
75 mm high-load
Black Magic/
75 mm stainless
100 mm
Black Magic/
100 mm stainless
125 mm
Black Magic
150 mm
Black Magic/
150 mm 
stainless
ft
2
m
2
ft
2
m
2
ft
2
m
2
ft
2
m
2
ft
2
m
2
ft
2
m
2
ft
2
m
2
End-boom
Single attachment
450
41
550
51
600
56
750
70
900
84
1250
116
1550
144
Multiple attachment**‡
500
46
675
63
720
67
900
84
1100
102
1500
139
1750
163
Mid-boom
Single attachment
400
37
400
37
450
42
550
51
700
65
1000
93
1375
128
Multiple attachment**
450
41
575
53
600
56
700
65
950
88
1300
121
1525
142
 *Element blocks are appropriate for most cruising boats. For high-performance boats, choose Black Magic blocks.
**Assumes 10% roach.     ‡Assumes two or more shackles share load on both boom and deck. 
45 mm Element*
57 mm  low-load
Black Magic/ESP
60 mm Element*
57 mm high-load
Black Magic/
fi xed MBL** blocks
75 mm low-load
Black Magic/
Mast collar post block/
75 mm ESP
80 mm Element*
75 mm high-load 
Black Magic/fi xed
MBL** blocks/
75 mm stainless
100 mm
Black Magic/
100 mm stainless
125 mm
Black Magic
ft
m
ft
m
ft
m
ft
m
ft
m
ft
m
Maximum “P” Dimension
Main halyard
47
14.3
52
15.8
60
18.3
74
22.6
80
25
90
27.5
Maximum “I” Dimension
Genoa halyard
45
13.7
50
15.2
58
17.7
72
21.9
76
23.2
87
26.5
Spinnaker halyard
47
14.3
53
16.1
60
18.3
74
22.6
82
25
93
28.4
 *Element blocks are appropriate for most cruising boats. For high-performance boats, choose Black Magic blocks.     **MBL = Mastbase lead blocks.
Maximum breaking load of runner wire
57 mm
Black Magic 
Air Runner
75 mm
Black Magic
Air Runner
100 mm
Black Magic
 
Air Runner
125 mm
Black Magic
Air Runner
150 mm
Black Magic
Air Runner
lb
kg
lb
kg
lb
kg
lb
kg
lb
kg
Flying
2500
1134
10000
4535
15000
6800
22000
10000
30000
13605
2:1 Separate deck
3025
1372
12100
5490
17550
7960
26500
12020
36136
16388
2:1 Becket deck
1875
850
7500
3400
10900
4945
16500
7485
22500
10204
3:1 Deck (block #1)
3713
1684
14850
6735
21600
9800
32700
14835
44550
20203
3:1 Deck (block #2)
4525
2052
18100
8210
26300
11930
39850
18075
54300
24625

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