The idea of creating an efficient, squeakless vang came to me on a late night watch off the coast of Mexico.

The wind was light and our Cal 40 was making its way under spinnaker.

It was a beautiful night.

But with each passing swell, the vang compressed and screeched like a stuck seagull. If we took in more vang, we’d loose mainsail shape and stop the boat. It was like Chinese water torture, and we were slowly losing our minds. I thought there had to be a better way.

Since my family owned an air cylinder manufacturing company, I thought I could apply the principles of pneumatic compression to vang construction.

Our efforts started in 1985 with a prototype vang designed for a Cal 25. From the first test sail, we knew

we were onto something. The results led to refinements, and this progression led to Vang-Master.

Vang-Master is the original pneumatic vang!

I am proud to say that Vang-Master was onboard Roy Disney’s Pyewacket for its record breaking 1999 Transpac victory, is standard equipment on Melges 24s, and is seen on racing and cruising boats from 20 feet to Maxies. Today, over 3,000 Vang-Masters have been sold to satisfied owners around the globe.

If we don’t have a standard size Vang-Master that fits your boat, we will be pleased to manufacture one for you!

Great sailing,

 

Doug Grant
President