When competitve young sailors finish their time in Optimist, they usually move onto another international class. The main choices are single-handed sailing (e.g. Laser 4.7,Laser Radial) and two-handed sailing (e.g. 420). It is normal for sailors to start sailing 420 between 13-15yrs old.
Some young sailors may not be big enough to sail a Laser Radial or other single-handed international classes, or may take a longer time to grow, so getting into the 420 makes sense to develop your skills and keep future options open.
The ideal competitive combined crew weight is 110-135Kg and usually the skipper is lighter than the crew.
The 420 offers great development for sailors in the two-handed disciplines – it has helped create the top 470, 49er and 29er sailors in the World.
Unlike Opti’s, most boats you will sail in the future will have downwind sails. The 420 is an ideal platform for learning about tuning a boat and the consequences of tuning, teaching in a relatively simple way the trimming of sail combinations (i.e. main, jib, spinnaker together) like no other boat can. This is great for all your future sailing, not just two-handed.
The 420 is a stable boat to sail which planes upwind easily, the trend in modern yachting. It will teach you how to sail in an environment of partnership with your crew, adding another significant element to your development as a sailor (and as a person).
International Opportunities
The 420 is a worldwide established two person trapeze and spinnaker racing dinghy.
The 420 is a youth class in the Asian Championship, Asian Games and in the ISAF Youth Sailing World Championship. The ISAF Youth Sailing World Championships is the pinnacle global event for young sailors.
