The History of Sanger Boats
SANGER BOATS – SUPERIOR WAKESURF / WAKEBOARD BOATSWhite Mist of the early 60’s was powered by a blown version of the famous 1957 392 Chrysler “Hemi” engine and it along with “Woodpecker” become the first “drag boats” Larry Schanderland drives White Mist into drag boat racing which is less than three years old. The fastest class, Top Eliminator, has already broken 100 MPH in the 1/4 mile and the most competitive engines are Caddy, Hemi, & Olds. The big Chevys & Fords are yet to be invented.
Sanger boats has building top performance boats for longer than most of our competitors. Todays Sanger is a top notch Surf, Wakeboard and Ski boat, yet the price won’t break the bank.
At the age of 16, Jack’s son Mike began working with his dad and racing his hydro/flat bottom, the “Hot Tuna”. Jack’s daughter Kathy also started working with Jack at Sanger Boats. The 70’s was a time of retail sales for Sanger. During this time, Jack began Stellings Marine Products, selling marine hardware through the catalog he created. In 1979, due to the changing economy, the boat industry became depressed and Sanger shifted gears into family boating in the 1980’s.
This was also the year Jack started his off shore header business. This venture began when Jack attempted to purchase a set of off shore headers from another company and he was informed to “wait”. The “Bear” couldn’t wait! Sanger stopped selling boats retail in 1987 and began selling to a distributor. During the 90’s, Jack started building Alley Cats. These boats were designed for off shore racing and boating. He built a 20, 23, 29, and a 30 foot model. These were built on a special order basis.
Jack built the Alley Cats for his own pleasure because it was a boat he could take out on the California Delta. Jack’s main focus during these years was his off shore header business. Mike continued, closely with Jack, designing the Sanger family boating models and is still designing today.
Jack was always on the cutting edge of boat design and adapted easily to the current demand of the industry. Building a high quality, hand laid wood and fiberglass boat from the ground up was Jack’s specialty. Today’s boats are still built with the same focus on quality and craftsmanship. When you see a Sanger Boat, you know you are seeing the best quality possible in the industry.
Kathy continues her father’s passion for the offshore headers and boating adventures at the Delta in California. She enjoys boating on the Delta on one of Jack’s 30 foot Alley Cats. Kathy has also expanded with a new division called KD and Company. Through this company, Kathy creates all the unique “Sanger” apparel you see today. You can still find the well known registered logo of the “hydro guy” on many apparel items and accessories. KD and Company has a full line of Sanger accessories and apparel, as well as gift items for your pleasure.