On 19 Aug 2004 04:05:01 GMT, (SAIL LOCO) wrote:

Please contact Garhauer, who is a major player, if not the biggest in this
field
and ask how many of their vangs have locks.

You might want to check your facts. Hall Spar's Quick Vang is probably the
#1 selling solid vang. Garhaur's units which are very well made are seen
mostly as supplied equipment on new Catalinas.
S/V Express 30 "Ringmaster"
"Trains are a winter sport"

I'll bet that Garhauer outsells Hall 10 to 1. Garhauer is amazingly
inexpensive compared to everyone else. I have had my vang, made by
Offshore Spars, for some years now. They no longer make them,
probably because they couldn't compete from a pricing perspective.
Looking at it, there is really no reason it should have cost anywhere
near as much as it did. It is nothing more than an anodized, low tech
shock absorber with some beefy fittings. Certainly nothing that
should have cost close to $600, if my failing memory serves. Garhauer
is about a third of that.

I'll bet that Garhauer outsells Hall 10 to 1. Garhauer is amazingly
inexpensive compared to everyone else. I have had my vang, made by
Offshore Spars, for some years now. They no longer make them,
probably because they couldn't compete from a pricing perspective.
Looking at it, there is really no reason it should have cost anywhere
near as much as it did. It is nothing more than an anodized, low tech
shock absorber with some beefy fittings. Certainly nothing that
should have cost close to $600, if my failing memory serves. Garhauer
is about a third of that.

Agree about the cost of most units. What's even more insulting is the price
of the boom and mast attachment fittings.
As far as Garhauer outselling others 10-1 afraid I don't see it. Yes the
Garhauer seems to be a value and appears to be bullitt proof but walking the
docks at any marina I hardly ever see them compared to Quick Vangs.
S/V Express 30 "Ringmaster"
"Trains are a winter sport"