Harken Carbo Ratchamatic :: Catamaran Sailboats at TheBeachcats.com

Harken Carbo Ratchamatic

traphappy

Rank: Mate

Registered: Jun 15, 2016

Last visit: Apr 14, 2022

Posts: 181
Posted: May 27, 2017 - 10:48 PM

Word to the wise, don't drop a Harken Ratchmatic (spinnaker sheet block) in the sand.... That said, does anyone have an idea of how to fix one after doing so? Mine is stuck in the locked position. Fine when there is a breeze, but not so good in really light stuff. I've tried washing it, boiling it, bouncing it hard on a carpeted floor. Have not taken it apart. Hope this experience helps others avoid perils of letting sand get into sensitive, but otherwise really good equipment...
martyr

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Registered: Jul 01, 2016

Last visit: Aug 30, 2023

Posts: 631
Posted: May 28, 2017 - 01:14 AM

I deleted my comment because it was irrelevant.

Edited by martyr on May 28, 2017 - 05:16 PM.

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Marty
1984 Hobie 16 Redline Yellow Nationals, "Yellow Fever"
Opelika, Al / Lake Martin
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tamumpower1

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Registered: Nov 19, 2015

Last visit: Oct 22, 2024

Posts: 398
Posted: May 28, 2017 - 01:59 AM

Eh I've gotten mine salty and grungy before and just let them soak and repeatedly tried to activate them until they worked.
klozhald

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Registered: Apr 19, 2011

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Posts: 1461
Posted: May 29, 2017 - 04:04 PM

Put it in a bucket of clean water. While you are watching the screen (TV, movie, Youtube) gently and constantly swirl the part in the water until it begins to move. This could take hours.

Can you even disassemble it? Is it bolted together, not using peened rivets?

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Sheet In!
Bob
_/)_____/)_/)____/)____/)_____/)/)__________/)__
Prindle 18-2 #244 "Wakizashi"
Prindle 16 #3690 "Pegasus" Sold (sigh)
AZ Multihull Fleet 42 member
(Way) Past Commodore of Prindle Fleet 14
Arizona, USA
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nacra55

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Registered: Nov 02, 2004

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Posts: 626
Posted: May 29, 2017 - 07:34 PM

Have you tried adjusting the tension on the auto ratchet? There's a hole where you can adjust it with an allen wrench. Maybe loosen it before soaking?

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Ron
Nacra F18
Reservoir Sailing Assn.
Brandon, Mississippi
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samc99us

Rank: Mate

Registered: Apr 15, 2005

Last visit: Feb 21, 2024

Posts: 574
Posted: May 29, 2017 - 09:59 PM

Dawn dish detergent. Soak in a bucket with water + dawn = cured. Usually. They can occasionally fail.
MN3

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Registered: Jun 20, 2006

Last visit: Dec 04, 2024

Posts: 7090
Posted: May 30, 2017 - 08:04 AM

I know they say when they bind up to soak in almost boiling water (not boiling) to dissolve salt crystals
not sure about sand

They have very good support at Harken
If all else fails, call them and tell them they have locked up - they will probably tell you to send it in for repair / replacement
davefarmer

Rank: Mate

Registered: Oct 26, 2002

Last visit: Sep 23, 2019

Posts: 390
Posted: May 31, 2017 - 04:43 PM

I second Ron's advice on adjusting the tensioning mechanism with the Allen wrench, while soaking and spinning. Might dislodge the grains that are jamming things up.
leeboweffect

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Registered: Apr 22, 2015

Last visit: May 21, 2023

Posts: 484
Posted: May 31, 2017 - 05:39 PM

I had one on my MacGregor 25. When it would get rough (never actually had it lock up) I would put it in a bucket (with a tight sealing lid) of water with a little Dawn dish detergent then put the bucket in my car. After a week or so of soaking and joy riding (agitation) it would be like new after a fresh water rinse to get out the soap.

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Hobie 16 (3 formerly)
MacGregor 25 (formerly)
Chrysler Dagger 14 (formerly)
NACRA 5.0 (currently)
High Point, NC
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traphappy

Rank: Mate

Registered: Jun 15, 2016

Last visit: Apr 14, 2022

Posts: 181
Posted: May 31, 2017 - 08:34 PM

I was not sure how much broad interest this question would have so I hesitated to ask it. Turns out, you guys gave lots of great advice. I really appreciate it, and will go through the list to try to fix my block. It's back on the boat on the beach now, so I won't have report for another two weeks though. Just got done cleaning and putting together the Harken cams from the mast rotation system. They were full of sand (I bought the boat recently). That was a very satisfying experience, first time doing that. Quick instant gratification with that small project. Thanks!