By MAURIPRO Sailing Specialists · Updated July 2026
Harken traveler track is often bent to follow the curve of the cabin house or the radius of the boom. The right bend type depends on where the track mounts and how the traveler car must travel under load: vertical bends (ends down or ends up), a horizontal bend, or a compound bend that combines both planes. The short answer — if your track follows the crown of a cabin top you need a vertical bend; if it follows the sweep of the boom it needs a horizontal bend; if it does both, it needs a compound bend.
Just as important as the bend is matching the traveler car to the track radius. To perform smoothly and carry the correct load, the car's length must suit the radius of the bend. Each Harken traveler car lists a minimum radius it can ride; if your load calls for a long car but the radius is too tight, join two short cars with a coupler. This guide walks through all four Harken bend types and gives you the reference part numbers by track size.
What Are Harken Curved Traveler Tracks?
A Harken curved track is a traveler track that has been bent — either at installation or made to specification by Harken — so it follows a boat's geometry instead of running dead straight. Sometimes the track is bent vertically, ends up, to relieve tension on the sail's leech as the traveler car moves off the boat's centerline. The goal is always the same: keep the car aligned and loaded correctly through its full travel.
Minor bends can often be made when the track is installed. If the track requires more bend, Harken can provide horizontal, vertical or compound curves to specification for a modest charge. Two rules matter before you order. First, if the bend is continuous, add 50 to 100 mm (2 to 4 inches) to each end, because track cannot be bent all the way to its ends. Second, standard Harken Mini-Maxi and Maxi traveler cars cannot ride on vertical bends with a radius under 15/25 m (about 50 ft) — confirm the minimum radius on your car's spec chart before committing to a curve.
The 4 Harken Track Bend Types Explained
Harken curved tracks fall into four bend types. Choosing correctly starts with one question: which plane does your track need to follow — the vertical crown of the deck, the horizontal sweep of the boom, or both?
1. Vertical Bend: Ends Down
This bend is used for mainsheet travelers mounted over the cabin house. The curve matches the crown of the cabin house and allows the track to clear the companionway hatch, while minimizing the height of the track risers.
2. Vertical Bend: Ends Up
Some boats use this bend to relieve leech tension as the traveler car moves off centerline. Ends-up bends are also used for staysails. Tracks angled forward to face the clew of the sail mount on risers.
3. Horizontal Bend
Horizontal bends allow the traveler to follow the radius of the boom as it swings across the boat. The track stays flat and the ends curve toward the boat's bow or stern. Horizontal bends are sometimes used for boom vangs and occasionally for staysails, especially those with booms.
4. Compound Bend
A compound bend combines a vertical and a horizontal bend. A typical example: the track curves in the horizontal plane to follow the radius of the boom, but also mounts to a deck that has a slight crown, adding a vertical curve.
How to Choose the Right Bend for Your Boat
Once you know the plane, the next decision is the size class of the bend, which Harken splits into simple, major and compound. This determines the correct part number and whether the curve can be made at installation or must be ordered to specification.
- Simple Bend — track length of 2 m (6'6-3/4") or less, and chord depth less than 200 mm (8").
- Major Bend — track length of 2.1 m (6'10-11/16") or greater, or chord depth of 200 mm (8") or greater.
- Compound Bend — a bend in both the horizontal and vertical planes.
- Compound Simple Bend — both bends are simple bends.
- Compound Major Bend — one or both bends are major bends.
The chord depth is the distance between a straight line across the ends of the track and the deepest point of the curve — measure it before ordering, because it is what separates a simple bend from a major bend. If the required radius is tighter than your chosen traveler car can ride, use two short cars joined by a coupler rather than forcing a single long car onto a tight curve.
Harken Curved Track Part Numbers by Bend Type
Use the chart below to find the correct bend part number for your Harken track size. Match your track (left column) to the bend type you need. A dash (–) means that bend is not offered for that track size.
| Track | Simple Bend | Major Bend | Compound: Simple | Compound: Major |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 mm Micro CB Track (2707) | 485 | 486 | – | – |
| 13 mm Micro CB Track (2709) | 487 | 488 | – | – |
| 22 mm Small Boat CB Track (373 / 374 / 2720 / 2721 / 2725 / 2751) | 274 | 275 | 276 | 286 |
| 27 mm Midrange CB Retrofit Track (1602 / R27) | 1527 | 1528 | 1529 | 1581 |
| 27 mm Midrange Hi-Beam Track (R27HB) | 1530 | 1531 | 1532 | 1582 |
| 32 mm Big Boat CB Retrofit Track (R32 / 3159) | 789 | 790 | 791 | 576 |
| 32 mm Big Boat Hi-Beam Track (R32HB / 1706 Mini-Maxi) | 792 | 793 | 794 | 577 |
| 64 mm Maxi Track (661) | 795 | 795 | 795 | 795 |
Part numbers are Harken bend references for ordering a curve to specification. Not every bend is stocked for every track size, and availability changes — if you are unsure which bend and radius your boat needs, send us your track size and chord depth and our rigging team will confirm the correct part.
Where to Buy Harken Traveler Tracks & Cars
MAURIPRO carries the full Harken traveler system — Micro, Small Boat, Midrange, Big Boat, Mini-Maxi and Maxi CB tracks, matching traveler cars, end controls, risers and coupler hardware. Because a curved track must be matched to both your boat's geometry and the correct car for its radius, ordering through MAURIPRO ensures you get a system that fits together and carries load safely. If you are also upgrading control lines, our Harken blocks guide and rig-tension reference pair well with a new traveler setup.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum radius for a Harken curved traveler track?
Standard Harken Mini-Maxi and Maxi traveler cars cannot ride on vertical bends with a radius under about 15/25 m (roughly 50 ft). Every Harken traveler car lists the minimum radius it can ride on its spec chart, so always confirm your specific car's minimum radius before ordering a curved track.
What is the difference between a simple bend and a major bend?
A simple bend is a track length of 2 m (6'6-3/4") or less with a chord depth under 200 mm (8"). A major bend is a track length of 2.1 m (6'10-11/16") or greater, or a chord depth of 200 mm (8") or greater. Chord depth is the distance from a straight line across the track ends to the deepest point of the curve.
Can a straight traveler car ride on a curved Harken track?
The car's length must suit the track radius. A long car may bind on a tight radius, so if your load requires a long car but the radius is too tight, join two short cars with a coupler instead. Check the minimum radius listed for your specific traveler car before installing it on a curved track.
What is a compound bend on a traveler track?
A compound bend combines a vertical and a horizontal bend in the same track. A common case is a track that curves horizontally to follow the boom's radius while also mounting to a deck with a slight crown, which adds a vertical curve. Harken lists compound bends as either Compound Simple (both bends simple) or Compound Major (one or both bends major).
How much extra track length do I need for a continuous bend?
For a continuous bend, add 50 to 100 mm (2 to 4 inches) to each end of the track, because track cannot be bent all the way to its ends. Factor this into your length before ordering so the usable curved section covers your traveler's full range.
Questions? We're Here to Help
Have questions? Chat with us! Our MAURIPRO rigging and sailing specialists are available to help you find the right solution for your boat and sailing style.
