The vang allows vertical adjustment of the boom, and is an extremely important tool to shape the main for speed. Tension the vang to tighten the leech, flatten the sail and bend the mast. Cruisers use the vang to keep the boom from rising when sailing downwind and abraiding the main.

Typical boat length:
Small Boat: 22' - 28' (6.7 - 8.5 m)
Midrange: 29' - 34' (8.8 - 10.4 m)
Big Boat: 35' - 42' (10.7 - 12.8 m)

4:1 V-jam

This simple 4:1 self-cleating vang is used on small dinghies.

Diagram Ref.	Description	Small Boat Part No.	Midrange Part No.	Big Boat Part No.
A	Double	226
B	Fiddle	245

15:1 Cascaded Vang

The 15:1 Dinghy vang uses a 3:1 cascade inside a 5:1 purchase to create a powerful system. Suited for dinghies and light daysailers with mains to 125 ft2 (11.6m2).

Diagram Ref.	Description	Small Boat Part No.
A	Dinghy vang	447
B	Lower unit	455
C	Single	405
D	Double	407

4:1 Fiddle

The basic 4:1 fiddle block vang is commonly used on dinghies and small keelboats.

Diagram Ref.	Description	Small Boat Part No.	Midrange Part No.	Big Boat Part No.
A	Fiddle	2655	2621	2621 1559
B	Fiddle	2658	2624	2624 1564

8:1 Cascaded Fiddle

A doubling block increases the purchase of the vang to 8:1. The load on the fiddle blocks is halved so they can be used safely on larger boats.

Diagram Ref.	Description	Small Boat Part No.	Midrange Part No.	Big Boat Part No.
A	Single	098 183	300	304 308
B	Fiddle	2655	2621	2621 1559
C	Fiddle	2658	2624	2624 1564

4:1 Cascaded Kicker

This rigid rod vang utilizes a simple 4:1 tackle. The rod also serves as a topping lift for the boom. Used on cruising and racing boats.

Diagram Ref.	Description	Small Boat Part No.	Midrange Part No.	Big Boat Part No.
A	Fiddle	2655	2655 2621	2621 1559
B	Fiddle	2658	2658 2624	2624 1564

6:1 Double-ended Cascaded Kicker

Many racers rig the vang with a double-ended control line led down each side of the boat.

Diagram Ref.	Description	Small Boat Part No.	Midrange Part No.	Big Boat Part No.
A	Triple	344 2640	2640 2604	2604
B	Double	342 2638	2638 2602	2602
C	Single	349 2652	2652 2600	2600
D	Cam cleat	241	241 240	240