vangs
Vangs are a type of rigging used in sailing, specifically for controlling the direction and set of a sail. They consist of a rope or wire that runs from a point on the sail, typically the clew (the aft lower corner), to a point on the mast or boom. By adjusting the tension and angle of the vang, a sailor can alter the shape of the sail and its efficiency in different wind conditions.
There are several types of vangs. Traditional vangs are simple lines that are pulled tight to hold
The primary purpose of a vang is to provide downward tension on the leech of the mainsail.