1952

• The Sunfish is created by Alexander Bryan and Cortlandt Heyniger (the “Al” and “Cort” of Alcort). Fortune Magazine called it “One of the 25 best designed products in America” Along with the Porsche 911 and several other notable products. Over 250,000 boats have been built to date. The Sunfish is the most popular recreational sailboat in history.

1967

• Peter & Olaf Harken (present day owners of Harken, www.harken.com) start the boat building company Vanguard in a 60 foot trailer in Pewaukee, Wisconsin. They begin production on the Flying Junior.

1975

• Vanguard 420 and Finn go into production.

1976

• Vanguard Finn tooling is provided to the Olympics. The Collegiate 420 is conceived. A group of sailors from Yale Corinthian Yacht Club ask Vanguard to build a 'beefed up' version of the International 420 for their new fleet of collegiate boats. This innovation, in response to the demands of the collegiate sailor, starts the nationwide “Club boat” movement.

1978

• Vanguard signs contract to provide tooling and training for the 1980 Olympic Games in Talinn, Estonia.

1984

• Vanguard supplies Finns to the Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

1986

• Vanguard moved from Pewaukee, WI to Bristol, Rhode Island when Steve Clark forms a partnership with Chip Johns to revitalize the small boat market.

1992

• Vanguard supplies 45 Finns to the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona.
   
• The Vanguard 15 is developed by applying technology from Vanguard's extensive Olympic and Institutional experience. The result is a lightweight, simple, stable, and durable strict one-design dinghy.

1993

• The Vanguard 15 debuts as the boat of choice for the US Team Racing Championships for the Hinman Trophy at the Hyannis Yacht Club.

1996

• The Laser debuts at the Olympics. SunfishLaser supplies the boats for the Olympic Games in Atlanta. The Laser Class is the largest sailing event with a record number of countries participating.

1997

• Vanguard purchases the Sunfish, Laser, 49er, and other product lines from SunfishLaser, Inc., creating Vanguard Sailboats and the strongest array of racing and recreational sailboats in North America. Vanguard moves from Bristol, RI to the present day location in Portsmouth, RI.

2000

• The 49er debuts at the Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia. Vanguard introduces the newest edition to their line-up, the Vector in the fall. The Vector is named Best Performance Dinghy in Sailing World magazine's prestigious Boat of The Year contest for 2001.

2001

• Vanguard purchases Seitech Marine Products. Seitech Products, a newly formed company, becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of Vanguard Sailboats. Seitech Products is the leading North American manufacturer of launching dollies for small boats, multiple-boat trailer racks, and storage racks.

2003

• Vanguard becomes the North American distributor of Magic Marine Sailing Gear, high performance sailing gear and accessories.

2005

• The Laser Radial is chosen as the newest Olympic Class for women. The Radial will debut at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.
• 2005 Vanguard Sailboats
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             Email:info@teamvanguard.com