parts of a 420 sailboat

Club 420 Double-Handed Dinghy
There are 56,000 boats which have been built worldwide. This popular dinghy is sailed at school, club, open, national and international levels. There are many second hand boats available, active clubs and excellent tuition for all levels.

Built in buoyancy tanks make the boat very safe even when inverted. The 420 is the youth development boat in 43 countries around the world. It is the equipment for the two-person dinghy boys and two-person dinghy girls events at the ISAF Youth Sailing World Championships, the pinnacle youth event in the world.

Despite the emergence of newer commercial driven classes and asymmetrics, the 420 is still the world's top youth training boat. A brand new 420 ready to sail costs approximately EUR5500 - 6000, making the boat an extremely affordable choice.

About 350 boats are built per year, with 1850 boats built over the past 5 years.

In 2010, the International 420 Class celebrated its 50th Anniversary.

• NCA’s login

• 420 World Championships
• 420 Junior European Championships
• 420 European Championships
• Youth Sailing World Championships
• 2022 Eurosaf 420 Cup
• Regional Games
• Results archive - 420 World Championships
• Results archive - 420 Junior Europeans
• Bid for a Championship
• Latest news
• 420 Newsletter
• Why to Sail a 420

Introduction to the 420

• Tips for buying a 420

Getting into Racing

• Buy and Sell Marketplace
• 420 Superstars
• 420 National Class Associations
• Sustainability
• 420 Executive and Technical Committees
• Constitution
• 420 General Assembly Meetings
• Membership Fees
• 420 Class Privacy Policy

420 Class 50th Anniversary

• Privacy Notice
• 2023 420 Class Development Programme

420 to the Max - Free online training video

New 420 tuning video.

• 420 e-Book - Performance Training
• 420 Boat Settings - Beginner's Guide
• I-420 Sailing Academy
• Learn to Sail - Recommended Boat
• 420 Class Rules
• 420 Licensed Builders
• How to become be a Licensed Builder
• 420 Technical Documentation
• 420 Sail Stickers and Boat Plaques

420 Sails and Spars Manufacturers Guides

• 420 Sailmakers and Equipment Suppliers
• International Measurers
• The Racing Rules of Sailing
• Equipment used at 420 Championships
• Media office

SAILORS Introduction to the 420

© Andrea Lelli

The 420 is an established worldwide performance two-person trapeze and spinnaker racing dinghy which holds status as a World Sailing International Class .

There are 56,000 boats which have been built worldwide. This popular dinghy is sailed at school, club, open, national and international levels. There are many second hand boats available, active clubs and excellent tuition for all levels.

Built in buoyancy tanks make the boat very safe even when inverted. The 420 is the youth development boat in 43 countries around the world. It is the equipment for the two-person dinghy boys and two-person dinghy girls events at the Youth Sailing World Championships , the pinnacle youth event in the world.

Despite the emergence of newer commercial driven classes and asymmetrics, the 420 is still the world's top youth training boat. A brand new 420 ready to sail costs approximately EUR5500 - 6000, making the boat an extremely affordable choice.

About 350 boats are built per year, with 1850 boats built over the past 5 years.

In 2020, the International 420 Class celebrated its 60th Anniversary.

The International 420 Class is recognised by World Sailing as an " World Sailing Learn to Sail Training Programme Recommended Boat ", which endorses its use by Member National Authorities for developing and teaching sailing in their nation. This status also endorses that the 420 is proven to have suitable availability to MNA's and also offers a supply structure to reduce costs to the MNA's and Learn to Sail Programme training centres.

All boats recognised by World Sailing have been independently assessed by World Sailing to be ideal for developing and/or teaching sailing within the World Sailing Learn to Sail programme; they also undergo safety assessments such as European CE marking or coastguard assessment.

Related links

Related content.

Class Contact Information

Click below

Class Email

Class Website

One-Design Class Type: Dinghy

Was this boat built to be sailed by youth or adults? Youth

Approximately how many class members do you have? 2500

Photo Credit:

About Club 420

The Club 420 is a two person dinghy which forms the base of many local, high school and collegiate programs in North America. Simple for beginning sailors and yet challenging enough for collegiate champions. The Club 420 offers more learning opportunities than any other double-handed boat. Over 5,000 Club 420s are sailed in youth, high school and collegiate programs all over the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean.

Boats Produced: 8600

Class boat builder(s):

Laser Performance Zim Sailing

Approximately how many boats are in the USA/North America? 5000

Where is your One-Design class typically sailed in the USA? List regions of the country:

East Coast, Gulf Coast, West Coast, Great Lakes, sprinkled throughout the middle of the country

Does this class have a spinnaker or gennaker? Yes

How many people sail as a crew including the helm?  2

Ideal combined weight of range of crew:  240-300

Boat Designed in  1970

Length (feet/inches): 13’9″

Beam: 5’4″

Weight of rigged boat without sails: 240

Mast Height:

Back to One-Design Central

Copyright ©2018-2024 United States Sailing Association. All rights reserved. US Sailing is a 501(c)3 organization. Website designed & developed by Design Principles, Inc. -->

Scholastic Athletes - Save 15% on Apparel and Accessories - LEARN MORE

• Call Us (401) 237-6117
• Sign in & Register
• Gift Certificates
• Recently Viewed

Zim Sailing's Club 420 has quickly become the go-to C420, regardless of whether you're winning the Triple Crown circuit or just teaching learn-to-sail at the local sailing club. One-design sailors want the strongest, lightest, most durable boats and rigging available. We’ve met this demand with proven boat construction techniques and a rigging system that ensures performance, strength, and durability. This durability has led to many happy repeat customers, and has made Zim Sailing the leading provider of Club 420s in the world. Available in Club, Race, and Pro specifications. 

C420 - Club

C420 - Race

C420 - Ex Charter

Stay informed.

Fast Dispatch, Fast Delivery and a 5 Star Rated Service

• MENS SAILING CLOTHING
• DYNEEMA TRAPEZE LINES AND ROPES
• SINGLE SHEAVE BLOCKS
• Gelcoat Fillers
• Dry Lubricants
• Adhesive Glues
• Hooks & Clips
• Catamaran Launching Trollies
• Jockey Wheels
• Hitch Locks
• Lighting Board
• Breakaway Cables
• Clew Straps
• Upper Masts
• Lower Masts
• Rope Thimbles
• Wind Indicators & Burgees
• Parrel Beads
• Whipping Twine
• Sailmakers Palm
• Digital Compasses
• DEVOTI ILCA
• LASER SAIL BOATS & DINGHYS
• BAHIA SAIL BOATS & DINGHYS
• Numbers & Letters
• Dinghy Covers
• Under Covers
• Catamaran Covers
• Single Handed
• Double Handed
• 18 Foot Skiff
• Exocet Moth
• Musto Skiff
• Dart 15/ Sprint 15
• Hurricane 5.9
• Laser Bahia
• Laser Cascais
• Laser Funboat
• Laser Stratos

Your Cart is Empty

• £0.00 Subtotal

Tax included and shipping calculated at checkout

Order before midday Monday to Friday and we will ship your order the same day.

• 01268 222912
• Accessories
• Laser Products
• Sails & Covers
• Rope Lengths
• Parts By Boat
• Boat Care & Cleaning
• Splicing Tools
• Boat Covers
• Dinghy Rope Lengths
• Laser Rope Lengths
• RS Rope Lenghts
• Catamaran Rope Lengths
• Laser Performance
• Topper Sailboats
• Other Boats

TODAY: Save an Extra 10% in our September sale use code: SEP10MBER

• Mens Sailing Clothing
• Womens Sailing Clothing
• Junior Sailing Clothing
• Repair Kits
• Skiff Suits
• Life Jackets
• Trapeze Harnesses
• Buoyancy Aids
• Hiking Pads & Pants
• Hiking / Toe Straps

Zhik Superwarm

• 100m Rope Reel
• 50m Rope Reel
• Polyester Ropes
• Control Lines
• Double Braids
• Braid On Braid
• Anchor Lines & Ropes
• Spools & Reels
• Windsurfing

Mini Spools

• Single Block
• Double Block
• Triple Block
• Soft Attach
• Split Rings & Pins
• Inspection Hatches & Covers
• Bungs & Sockets
• Rudder & Tiller Parts
• Bushes & Fairleads
• Marine Screws
• Penny Washers
• VHF Aerials & Antennas
• Marine Tapes
• Traveller Systems And Parts
• Traveller Blocks
• Pico Hull & Deck Fittings
• Hull & Deck Fittings
• Laser Boats
• Laser Sails
• Laser Sail Packages
• Laser Spars
• Laser Rig Packages
• Laser Foils
• Laser Hull & Deck Fittings
• Laser Ropes
• Laser Dinghy Covers
• Devoti ILCA Boats
• ILCA Sail Packages
• ILCA Rig Package
• Devoti D-Zero Boats
• Devoti D-Zero Parts
• Devoti KDK Boats
• ILCA Charter Boats

New Devoti ILCA

Search our chandlery

420 sailing parts and ropes, laser models, topper sailboats models, rs sailboats models, part manufacturers, ocean play models, devoti models.

• White/Black
• Yellow/Black

Availability

• Out of stock

Parts and ropes for your 420 sailing dinghy.

Let customers speak for us

Used 2 of these to replace the little plastic ones on a supernova tiller. Much better and now pull in the right direction

This is the perfect tool to assist in tightening my Dart Trampoline. It grips the rope far better than you can with your hands.

After having my Previous Superwarm X Suit for over 5 years whilst working as a watersports instructor this is a great improvement over the previous suit. Warmer and softer linning throughout the inside of the suit and I will continue to use the suit all year round like my old suit.

Someone at the club “borrowed “ one of my Solo’s bungs. I bought two so now I have a spare.

Great to have something that goes over everything if a quick solution is required

had ordered one on amazon before, received the wrong size received the correct size now :)

A simple moulded part of good quality, supplied quickly and well packed.

Turned out that I had ordered the wrong make, my camcleats being Allen not Harken, however by drilling the two fixings holes out by 1mm and filing two small notches they fitted perfectly.

Super helpful company. Attentive, and quick to deliver.

Second time I have use for this purpose. Really easy to attach to alloy mast and so easy and positive to operate.

We have put the boat on this trolley but not yet used it for launch and recovery. First impressions are very good, It fits together well and is super easy to assemble - it's made to put together and take apart fast if you want to put it in a vehicle etc. It is very lightweight which should be a boon launching and recovering the boat - at the same time it looks strong and well made. Being aluminium we won't have a rust problem either. I was impressed how it fits perfectly wherever it supports the boat. So assuming it performs well in use we are pleased we got this. Very helpful guy on the phone and it came quickly so all good, thanks,

Good service, and fast delivery. Very happy with my large amount of assorted short lengths of rope of many different thicknesses for practising my knots.

Good quality rope that can be spliced. Delivered promptly by the Sailing Chandlery.

Excellent sail, ideal for training and comes with a sailbag, Our only drawback was the long delivery time (2-3 weeks) and having to pay €90 in customs charges all due to Brexit! If Sailing Chandlery had a outlet here in the Republic or in Northern Ireland, business could get much better.

Worked a treat

The Puco hatches I bought hatch really well for hatchy things. Speedy service and great value. Hatch-on!

Best Sellers

Hints and Tips

Looking After You ILCA Spars

September 13, 2024 3 min read

ILCA Outhaul Calibration Markers

April 17, 2024 3 min read

ILCA Daggerboard Calibration Sticker

April 17, 2024 1 min read

SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER

Save up to 40% on your next order.

Browse by Category

• Coach of the Year
• High School Sailing Team of the Year
• Optimist Sailor of the Year
• Sailing Fitness
• Regatta News/Results
• Boat Speed/Tuning/Sailtrim Articles
• General Sailing News
• Coaches Locker Room
• From the Experts
• Profiles in Pro Sailing
• Featured Jobs
• Marketplace Ads
• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar
• Skip to footer

Sail1Design

First Name*

Email Address*

Club 420 Class Hull Conformity Update & Response from PS2000

July 20, 2019 by Sail1Design Editor Leave a Comment

In an effort to provide information to our community, below is a press release from Sturgis Boat Works regarding the recent issue with PS2000 club420’s and their subsequent de-certification. Sail1Design reported on this on 11 July , and offered the builder in question an opportunity to respond. Also, below this press release, is an official statement from the Club420 Class . We do not necessarily hold the views discussed here; please feel free to post your reasonable comment(s) below, and we believe the c420 class is an incredibly positive organization doing great things, then and now. The c420 has been around for a long time; technology and innovation have re-defined sailing in so many ways, and all one-design classes struggle with the fine line between maintaining tradition, equality among the existing fleet, and acceptance of newer, more efficient, and better ways of doing things, from better sail fabrics, better hardware, better construction techniques and materials, and more. What’s a class to do? Not easy, but in this case our hope is that somehow, the issue is resolved as quickly as possible for the benefit of our nations youth sailors.

Statement from PS2000

As many of you know, there are ongoing serious concerns with the C420.  Here at PS2000 , we have been, so far, silent on the issue of decertification of some of our boats immediately prior to the North American Championships, in San Francisco, CA.  While incurring many tens of thousands of dollars in damages and an unimaginable amount of stress on our staff, we have felt that it would be best for the C420 Class, and C420 sailors generally, to acquiesce to the mandates of the Class while they found a way to roll back these rash and unjustified actions with the least embarrassment and permanent damage to the health of the Class.

Throughout this affair, the C420 Class has presented itself as a paragon of one design integrity.  And although this has always been the intent of the board, it is simply not true, has never been true.  To claim that our decertified boats are the only ones that do not conform to the construction manual is the height of self deception and the rankest of hypocrisy.   If anything, these boats conform more closely to the letter of the construction manual than any others sailing today.  Their exclusion lies not in the actual rules of construction but in the clause in the manual that requires builders to notify the secretary of changes and gain approval in advance.  Which we, in fact, failed to do.  And, in fact, no builder has ever informed the class of a change in lamination, materials or methods.  Ever.  The Class is wholly unaware of the materials, lamination schedules, construction methods and tools used by any of the builders.  There has never been an independent certification of materials or methods.  Ever.  This despite the undeniable fact that construction of the boats has always been in a process of change and improvement for all the builders, throughout the life of the Class.

PS2000 has been, by far, the most open, cooperative and transparent of the 3 builders.  We have been, likely, a cautionary tale for the other builders.  When we built a new set of molds, we reported it to the class and had to go through a lengthy, but utterly fictional certification process.  By contrast, our competitor is building boats out of at least 3 sets of molds on 2 continents and has never informed the class of an increasing number of tools being used.  Another has changed builders at least 3 times and never informed the class.  All this is obvious and widely known but goes unquestioned. 

Let’s consider the issue of changes more fully.  Because of the “inform and approve” clause of the construction manual, no changes are legal, even if within the rules, if not specifically reported and approved.  Talk to any long serving maintenance staff at a club that utilizes the C420 and they will verify that the boats have most certainly undergone changes in lamination techniques and materials over the years.  Ignoring the myriad of ways the boats can, and have, been altered that can’t be easily detected after the construction process is finished, there are some that can.  In a single example, for years the rigs were perfectly interchangeable between the 3 existing builders and the past builders, regardless of spar or boat supplier.  As we saw at NA’s when we were swapping new masts onto other builder’s boats, the masts are no longer interchangeable.  Why wasn’t this an obvious red flag?  It’s clear that one builder has altered the boat in some way so that, once interchangeable, the rigs must now be specific to that builder.  We don’t point this out because we wish to see those hundreds of boats made illegal, we point it out because in the course of a single regatta, one during which boats owned by a third of the fleet were being tossed out, it was at least as obvious, indeed far more obvious, that another builder had altered their boat and it went entirely unquestioned and unaddressed.  To have righteous indignation that one change has been made and then to willfully ignore another seems, to us, patently unfair and, frankly, inexcusable.

There is a clear pattern of the Class enforcing some of the rules, some of the time and only for some builders.  They are in possession of clear proof that boats being built for at least the last 5 years include internal stringers that are specifically banned in the construction manual.  So, within a matter of days, the board has voted to ban a large number of PS2000 boats because they have been built with methods not actually banned by class rules and then also voted to allow boats that are clearly built with expressly banned structural additions.  More than this, the Class President and the Measurer have refused repeated requests to verify that the construction manual provided to PS2000 is the same document being used to make these decisions.

PS2000 has been asked to follow rules the Class can’t, or won’t, provide or verify.  They’ve decertified boats that conform to the rules as provided, and affirmed boats that clearly do not.  The sailors are the most important stakeholders in this struggle.  We, at PS2000, hope they will speak up and send the Class a message that this kind of double standard can not stand.

___________________________________________________________

Club 420 Association July 18 Statement on Non-Conforming Equipment

It is a core mission of the Club 420 Association to ensure that the Club 420 sailing dinghy is the product of a strict one-design regimen and that the Club 420s are built to consistent, uniform standards in order to ensure that racing is fair to all participants, and that the sailors, not the equipment, determine the outcomes.  The goals of this core mission are incorporated in each contract with each approved builder of a Club 420 sailing dinghy to ensure compliance with and adherence to the Class Rules and Class Construction Manual then in effect.

Here is a description in detail of the conformity issue: https://club420.org/news/article/club-420-association-guidance

On Sunday July 14, 2019 the Class Measurer received a request to inspect Zim boats for ongoing compliance with the Class Rules and Class Construction Manual.  Following a thorough inspection pursuant to Section B of the Class Rules and of the applicable Class Construction Manual, the Class Measurer determined that the boats in question do meet the requirements of the Class Rules and Class Construction Manual.

The Class Measurer’s determination is as follows:

“Based on my review of this specific situation, and evaluating what was presented to the BOD for evaluation, I looked back historically to see what has possibly changed over the years. The main baseline I have to go on is the measurement performed on August 21, 2018 in Portsmouth, R.I. The three builders provided what everyone present accepted as class legal boats. We did an evaluation of all the boats, weighed and laser targeted each of the three boats. We all also looked through each boat presented and everyone was given the opportunity to bring issues up to the class measurer and Executive Director at that time. We did not inspect the inside of the tanks, as it was never brought up as a concern at that time. It was generally accepted by all attending on that date, that the boats currently being produced by class builders were class legal. During this boat measurement and evaluation there was no discussion regarding current internal boat structure. Although other aspects of the boats construction and manufacturing were discussed by the group.

Looking at the information I have been able to review to date, including the overall history of the class and how the boats have been built, as they relate to the Builders Manual and the spirit of maintaining a one design class. With the current information I have, I believe that Zim has not changed their boat design or construction methods relating to the stringers from when the boats were originally designated class legal boats by the Club420 Board of Directors. It is my evaluation that Zim boats as built currently [actively plaqued], are class legal to compete in Club 420 events.”

After further investigation and careful consideration by the Board of Directors pursuant to Section VII of the Association Bylaws, the Board on July 18, 2019, approved the determination of the Class Measurer.

Additionally, subsequent to its July 11, 2019, action, the Class Measurer has inspected boats with Plaque 8579 and Plaque 8580 and has recommended to the Board of Directors that they do not meet the requirements of the Class Rules and the Class Construction Manual.  The non-conforming elements in violation of class rules are:

1. The boats affected are built using a resin infusion method and materials that are not class approved.  Using this infusion method affects the durability, boat stiffness, weight and a host of other issues.

2. The boats affected have additional pieces at the bottom of the centerboard trunk alongside the stringer which is expressly not allowed by the Class Builders Construction Manual.

Subsequent to the initial on-site decision on July 9, 2019, action, the Class Measurer reviewed additional information relative to boat with Plaque 8585 and has recommended to the Board of Directors that this boat does not meet the requirements of the Class Rules and Class Construction Manual.  The non-conforming elements in violation of Class Rules and Class Construction Manual are:

1. The boat affected is built using a resin infusion method and materials that are not class approved.  Using this infusion method affects the durability, boat stiffness, weight and a host of other issues.

This determination is prospective only, and does not affect the eligibility of Plaque 8585 prior to July 19, 2019.

The Class Measurer continues to have the authority at any time to inspect and/or reinspect a Club 420 sailing dinghy to ensure compliance with Class Rules and the Class Construction Manual.

It is the sole responsibility of the approved builders of Club 420 dinghies to ensure that each boat manufactured and delivered conforms to the Class Rules and Class Construction Manual. The Association and its Board do not assume any responsibility or liability for non-compliance with Class Rules and the Construction Manual.  All actions taken by the Class Measurer and the Board will continue to be solely in support of those documents and for the integrity of the Club 420 one-design sailing dinghy and the Class Association.

Reader Interactions

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

By submitting this form, you accept the Mollom privacy policy .

One Design Classes

Browse the airwaves.

• Sailing News Articles
• High School & College News Articles
• One-Design Class Profiles
• Tactics & Strategy
• Sailing & Education
• ICSA Rankings
• Sailing/Yacht Club Profiles
• Youth Sailor of the Year
• Sail1Design Annual Awards

Helpful Links

• Join the S1D Team
• Accessibility Help
• Privacy Policy
• Entries feed
• Comments feed
• WordPress.org

High School and College Sailors - 15% Off Apparel & Accessories - LEARN MORE

• Call Us +1-503-285-5536
• Sign in & Register
• Recently Viewed
• One Design Parts
• Club 420 Parts

Hull and deck covers for the Club 420 sailboat plus blade bags in a variety of materials to suit your travel and storage needs. Options available from Harken, Colie Sails, and Zim Sailing.

• Qty in Cart

420 Deck Cover - Mast Up (Colie)

420 Deck Cover - Mast Up (Zim)

420 Hull Cover - Trailer (Colie)

420 Hull Cover (Zim)

420 Hull Cover - Cartop (Colie)

• Total: items /
• Add all to cart

Adding your products to cart

Subscribe to our newsletter.

Sign up for our newsletter to receive exclusive discounts, new product announcements, and upcoming sales.