Eight Bells: Performance hardware pioneer, Olaf Harken

Olaf Harken

Oct 24, 2019

Olaf Harken, 80, passed away Monday, October 21 after a weekend of accolades and family. Harken was presented with a lifetime achievement award at the Pewaukee Yacht Club Awards Dinner on Saturday. He was a seasoned Scow sailor and businessman who enjoyed sharing his passion for sailing.

Olaf was the vice president and co-owner of Harken, Inc., the international manufacturer specializing in performance sailing hardware and industrial solutions, headquartered in Pewaukee, Wisconsin. The firm was founded in a 60-foot trailer in 1967 by Olaf and his brother Peter.

Following his time in the Navy, Olaf joined Peter in forming a company to make sailboats designed to withstand the rigors of college sailing clubs. Harken, Inc. created the widely famous ball-bearing blocks. Hugely successful, the blocks revolutionized the sailing hardware industry and became the preferred block of the best sailors in the world.

-US Sailing

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