November 27, 2024 Harken Fosters

Zircon - Feed the Speed, Backed by Olympians

Harken's Zircon Blocks are the most efficient small boat blocks we have 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. Backed by Olympic medalists, read on if you must be convinced!

At the core of Zircon performance are industrial ceramic ball bearings mounted inside caged races. The cages keep these bearings apart for maximum movement. The result is a very free-running block with less energy lost to friction than in even our current Carbo blocks. furthermore Zircon bearings are more than 700% stronger in compression than stainless bearings of the same size so they won’t deform if used within the recommended load limits.

Most importantly, zircon blocks overcome inertia sooner as they don’t absorb much energy before starting to roll. This becomes evident when you need to ease a sail in very light air. Even the slightest fluctuations in sheet load can be felt.

A message from the sailors:

The Zircon range has been a recent addition on Kiwi Olympians Isaac McHardie and Will McKenzie's 49er. After a campaign of success for the McKiwi's, the Zircons have proven themselves through rigorous use leading up to and during the their Olympics.

When Zircon meets expert trimming, performance becomes unmatched. With the backing and praise of the new sailing generation we hope the Zircon range becomes a permanent fixture for the Olympians and many more high performance sailors to come.

More about the specs

All Zircon blocks have smooth, soft-attachment points. This saves fastener weight, is kinder to the lace line and lets the block better align to the load path.

Each ceramic bearing ball used in Zircon blocks are very hard, smooth and expensive. That’s why we designed the block to perform using only 7.

The white inner bearing races are molded inside the black glass fiber reinforced sheave material

The ceramic bearing balls run in a curved inner-race that is also ceramic. That race needs to be made of like metal. Without it, the ceramic balls would destroy the block from the inside.

How it compares

While Carbo Air blocks are our most versatile and lightweight range. Prioritizing weight makes them ideal for small boats but it also means the working load is considerably lower. Zircon uses harder materials to enhance strength and durability as well as lower friction.

Element blocks is designed for robust durability and affordability for larger cruising vessels. Element blocks are completely hard anodized aluminium with no ball bearings. This enables the heavy duty element blocks to handle the higher loads of keelboats. While Element is a cheaper option, they are heavier and harder to feel the load changes.

Black Magic is our premium high load bearing blocks popular amongst the performance keelers. They are heavier due to their larger bearings and hard coat anodized aluminium for high load endurance. Black Magics are lifetime serviceable blocks, wear and tear of parts can be replaced with ease. Our most durable line comes at a higher cost.

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:
1. Sailing is competitive. If we do not offer this level of performance, someone else might.
2. Sailors know best. If they try them and find value, they will become converts. The opposite is also true.

A special discount for blog readers who have made it this far:

Use code ZIRCON20 at checkout (online only)

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