Advice, Inspiration, & Tours, Maintenance & Repair, Rigging, Tuning, & Splicing
@SailBriggs on Optimist Setup
Briggs Kossman — also known as @SailBriggs on social media — spent time with Harken Blockheads to share his fine-tuned Opti rigging and setup for racing. His current rig setup has taken years to perfect. In this video, Briggs walks
Maintenance & Repair, Rigging, Tuning, & Splicing
Ice Boating: How to Sharpen Your Runners
Harken Blockheads Ella Bowers, Maggie McGary, and Lily Olson show how to sharpen iceboat runners to get ready for winter iceboating. In this video, they explain when to sharpen your runners, how often to maintain them, and what tools are
Maintenance & Repair, Rigging, Tuning, & Splicing
Lubrication 101
You've probably heard of McLube. Maybe you use it on your Opti because Coach tells you to. But what does it actually do? When it's lubricated, almost anything that moves on your boat works more efficiently, runs more smoothly,
Contests, Maintenance & Repair
What’s Your Favorite Boat Maintenance Task?
We were curious...We wanted to know what your absolute favorite boat maintenance task was...so we asked you! You had a lot to say! Here are the results: Looks like Blockheads love splicing! Check out some of the responses on the
Maintenance & Repair
Fired Up For Fiberglass Fixes
With help from Columbia Yacht Club Sailing School, this group of high school sailors is learning the skills needed to take increased responsibility for their equipment. At first, the program was mandatory; if you damage a boat, you must do
Maintenance & Repair
How To Care For Your Blocks
Dirt, sand, and grime can accumulate in your blocks over time. To prevent this, the best sailors keep their gear clean and in tip-top shape. Let's show you how.
Maintenance & Repair
How to Rebuild a Harken Cam-Matic Cam Cleat
Have you ever tried to cleat a 420 jib sheet, only to discover you CAN'T because one of the cams is loose and spinning around? Or maybe you had a similar experience with your Laser vang cleat or your 29er
Maintenance & Repair
Restoring Cita
Lauren Topchik is a 20-year-old Blockhead from Portland, Maine with a goal of sailing around the world. She's the proud new owner of S.V. Cita, a keelboat given to her by a stranger who heard about her dream and wanted
Maintenance & Repair
What Makes A Good Boat Cover?
Take a walk through Harken Canvas with Mary Morgan, Canvas Products Manager, to learn what makes a boat cover last.
Advice, Inspiration, & Tours, Maintenance & Repair
Take It From A Blockhead: Gustavo Alonso
We caught up with Gustavo Alonso, a Harken Blockheads member from Key Biscayne Yacht Club, during the 2019 USODA National Championship. Gus has good advice for Opti sailors. He knows from experience. Watch the video to hear the Gus Tip.
Maintenance & Repair
Restoring Oxidized Gel Coat
Over time, UV rays will gradually degrade the gel coat layer on your boat. Learn the fundamentals of the process for restoring the gel coat to its former glory so you are ready to fly at the next regatta.
Maintenance & Repair
Repairing Your Dinghy Centerboard
Learn the fundamentals of filling-in and patching-up damage to your dinghy's centerboard. Finish the job in part two:
Maintenance & Repair
Addressing Spider Cracks
Learn how to treat wear-induced spider cracks that appear along the hull of your dinghy. If not managed, these small cosmetic annoyances can lead to bigger problems down the road. Finish the job in part two: NOTE: Always make
Maintenance & Repair
Gel Coat Repair 101
Follow along and learn how to repair common types of damage to the gel coat layer on the hull of your dinghy. (Watch Part 2 below) Gel coat is a thin protective layer that is applied on top of the
Maintenance & Repair
Dinghy Bow Bumper Repair
Many club-owned boats feature rubber bow bumpers designed to minimize the consequences of just-too-close encounters that can occur while racing. Great as they are, these fiber-glass-saving tools can only take so much abuse before requiring their own attention. In this
Maintenance & Repair, Rigging, Tuning, & Splicing
On The Water Fixes for the Club 420
You’ve properly inspected, rigged, and tuned your 420. Despite this, Murphy’s Law will eventually strike, and something will break. In this video, learn what can be fixed while out sailing, and what you will need to make it happen!
Maintenance & Repair, Rigging, Tuning, & Splicing
Spare Parts Essentials
Carrying the right spare parts is essential for making quick fixes when you’re on the water. Learn what to bring along in your life jacket or dry bag that can help avoid day-ending breakages, featuring Taylor Martin, director of Pewaukee
Maintenance & Repair
Inspecting Your Opti
To prevent breakages aboard your boat, you need to know what to look for. In this series of in-depth walkthroughs of the Club 420, Laser, and Opti, learn what can go wrong and how to prevent it, featuring Taylor Martin,
Maintenance & Repair
Inspecting Your Laser
To prevent breakages aboard your boat, you need to know what to look for. In this series of in-depth walkthroughs of the Club 420, Laser, and Opti, learn what can go wrong and how to prevent it, featuring Taylor Martin,
Maintenance & Repair
Inspecting Your Club 420
To prevent breakages aboard your boat, you need to know what to look for. In this series of in-depth walkthroughs of the Club 420, Laser, and Opti, learn what can go wrong and how to prevent it, featuring Taylor Martin,
Maintenance & Repair, Rigging, Tuning, & Splicing
Rigging a Quick-Release Opti Mainsheet
In search of awesome rigging upgrades for their Optis, Blockheads Jack Goggins and Chapman Petersen joined with professional rigger Olli Lubker for a trip to Harken World Headquarters one cold day in snowy Pewaukee, Wisconsin. First on the list was
Maintenance & Repair
Clean Hardware Quick Tip
Between campaigning for Tokyo 2020, working with the Magenta Project, or dropping into the J/70 circuit, pro sailor Maggie Shea always follows one simple tip to ensure your hardware a long and happy life!
Maintenance & Repair, Rigging, Tuning, & Splicing
McLube Hullkote: How to Apply
Regular cleaning and polishing of your boat’s hull can be one of the habits that gives you that extra speed through the water. McLube Hullkote is the go-to speed polish for all sailors wanting a clean and fast race-ready bottom
Maintenance & Repair, Rigging, Tuning, & Splicing