i 420 sailboat

International 420 Class Association

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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? 150 in the US.

Photo Credit:Michael Rudnick

Photo Credit: Michael Rudnick

About International 420 Class Association

The US International 420 Class Association is dedicated to the support, development and growth of International 420 Class sailors in the United The International 420 is an established performance two-person trapeze and spinnaker racing dinghy. The I420 is a youth development boat in 43 countries and is the boat used for the two-person boys dinghy, and two-person girls dinghy events at the Youth Sailing World Championships, the pinnacle youth sailing event in the world. In the US the boat is used in the US Sailing Youth Championship, the pinnacle youth sailing event in the US. The I420 is sailed at yacht clubs, open, national and international levels. There are many second hand boats available, and active fleets across the United States. The 2018 World Championship was held in Newport, RI with 500 sailors from over 25 counties attending.

Designed by Christian Maury in France in 1960, the I420 celebrated its 60th Anniversary in 2020. The I420 is recognized by World Sailing as an “World Sailing Learn to Sail Training Program Recommended Boat”, which endorses its use by Member National Authorities for developing and teaching sailing. 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. The class is managed at a global level by the International 420 Class Association, and by the local class association in each country. In the US that is the US I420 Class Association.

Boats Produced: 26,000

Class boat builder(s):

Full list at: http://www.420sailing.org/content/420-licensed-builders

Approximately how many boats are in the USA/North America? 150

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

New England (Newport, CT, NYC, NJ), Annapolis, Miami, Houston, San Francisco & Southern Califorina.

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:  250 – 325 lbs

Boat Designed in  1960

Length (feet/inches): 13′ 9″

Beam: 5′ 4″

Weight of rigged boat without sails: 100 kg/220 lbs (80kg/176 lbs Bare Hull)

Mast Height: 20′ 6″

Tuning Guides

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Event Details

Accelerate skill development in a boat that delivers an edge.

A Mackay 420 has been behind nearly every world champion success since we commenced building 420’s in 2012.

Specifications

Hull Length                            4.2 m

Beam Length                        1.63 m

Mainsail Area                       7.4 m2

Headsail Area                       2.8 m2

Spinnaker Area                    9.0 m2

Boat Weight                          100 kg

Hull Weight                           80 kg

Hull Material                         GRP

No. of Crew                           2

Opt Crew Weight                 110 - 145 kg

Number of Trapeze             Single

Designer                                 Christian Maury

420 Class Association website:  http://www.420sailing.org/

The 420 is one of the best options to learn the ropes about two-person dinghy sailing. Crews learn how to tune a boat, set up control systems, trim sail combinations (jib, main and spinnaker together), work on downwind and upwind techniques, and importantly, learn how to work with another crew.

The Class has attracted many top sailors to it, providing a learning platform that has led them into successful Olympic campaigns and big boat careers.  

The 420’s design and class rules gave us the opportunity to build a boat similar to how the Mackay 470 is built in terms of the mould structure and look of the boat. 

The Mackay 420 hull shape was developed by naval architect Kevin Trotter. Kevin has designed very fast dinghies here in New Zealand over the years. Using the latest design and analysis software, along with the luxury of time we were able to evaluate the expected performance along with the look of the boat. 

Looking at where crews tended to sit in the boat in different conditions affected where we pushed the displacement curve of the boat.   Additionally, Kevin's skiff designs gave valuable insight into the way the rocker curve and buttocks lines should run through the middle and aft sections.

The hull is made from a polyester e-glass fibre, using foam core ribs and core mat panels.

The Mackay 420 deck to hull joint system is the same as our 470s, which allows for the same exceptionally strong but light gunwale arrangement. This extends around the bow and across the transom.

We have also borrowed some other features off the 470.  As an example, the way the mast partner is fitted to the deck after the boat is built allows the bulkhead in front of the mast to be more vertical and closer to the mast.  This is better for rig tension and weight distribution.  It also improves the look of the boat giving it a longer foredeck. 

The rudder stock is in cast aluminum which provides excellent support. The foils are built in the same way as our 470 foils by resin infusion.  

Most importantly the time and energy we put into the rudder and centreboard design along with the finishing of the moulds has resulted in some very special foils.

420: Our recent successes

420 Mackay Boats History

How to do a gelcoat repair.

Small gel coat repairs are relatively easy to do. 

What is Gelcoat made up of?

Gelcoat is a polyester product that is cured by using a catalyst called MEKP. (Methyl Ethyl Ketone Peroxide)

MEKP is a dangerous substance and should be treated as such when using, being very careful not to get any on your skin or in your eyes.

How can I get the catalyst - MERK?

We cannot ship MEKP so you will always need to buy it separately from your local marine store or fibreglass manufacturer.

How much MERK do I need?

The amount of Catalyst varies depending on the conditions you are using it in, but around 2%-3% will always work.

It is best to use a small syringe or dropper to get the required catalyst rate.

If you have mixed 100gm of gelcoat, then you are aiming for 2ml of catalyst.

What are the Gelcoat colours?

Gelcoats colours are not always a 100% perfect match.

Colour will vary depending on the depth of the repair and the batch.

470, 420, 29er & Starling are built from polyester resin.

For Polyester boats

470  White-  LS30    White PA 337

470  Grey- Grey RAL 7035

Blue = is supplier by Nuplex who have their own code which is not an international code

Does Mackay Boats supply gelcoat?

We supply a small tin (of each relevant colour) with each new boat.

Order additional gelcoat from our store, although it cannot be shipped by courier.

How do I do gelcoat repairs?

Doing gelcoat repairs is an art that improves with experience.

Making sure the surface is prepared well and keyed up is critical.

Overfill and then sanding back is a slow and time-consuming process.

Be very careful not to scratch the boat around the repair.

You shouldn’t sand the original surface around the repair with any paper coarser than 600grit.

Mask around the repair to protect the boat.

You can initially use a file or 150g to take the high parts off the filling, but don't use the coarse paper for too long or you will end up with scratches in the finished repair.

Once you have it fair with 600g, you can work your way through the sandpaper grades until you finish with 1500grit before cutting and polishing.

We would typically use 600g, then 800g or 1000g, then 1200g, then finally 1500g.

What can be customised?

Deck colour and non-skid on the side-decks. You can find these options if you try the boat configurator on our website.

What colour options do you offer?

White, Light Grey, Light Blue, Light Green, and Cream. On the 420, Grey is the most popular, with Blue and White equal second most popular.

How do you fit a mylar gasket the hull?

 Please watch this short video that demonstrates fitting a mylar gasket to the 420 hull - 

>> Fitting a mylar gasket .

420 Tuning Tips

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SAILORS Why to Sail a 420

© Nikos Drougkas

© Andrea Lelli

Are you thinking of sailing a 420? Here we tell you the best reasons to do it!

The 420 offers great development for sailors in the two-person disciplines – most of the World's top sailors sailed in this class and easily moved on to succeed in other classes, and enjoy Olympic and big boat careers

To learn your trade as a helm or crew it is best to do this in the 420, especially with the coaching structure and events available around the world. Some young sailors may never be big enough to sail a Laser Radial or other one-person international classes, or may take a longer time to grow, so getting into the two-person classes via the 420 makes sense to develop your skills and keep future options open.

Unlike Optimists, 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-person sailing.

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 crewmate, adding another significant element to your development as a sailor (and as a person).

The 420 is a global class with great opportunities available to develop your sailing and compete at the highest level, making many friends from around the world along the way.

Now some people unfamiliar with two-person sailing may challenge your step into the 420 with some of these most frequently heard questions:

• “It’s a hassle to co-ordinate with another sailor” …only true if you have picked the wrong sailor to partner with. A committed sailor with a supportive family in fact make it easier as there are two of you offering support to move boats, move sailors, chaperone trips, etc.
• “It’s expensive” …sailing is an expensive sport, but you already know that. A good, top competitive, second hand 420 is relatively inexpensive, usually with lots of sails and gear. In fact, splitting the costs between two sailors makes 420 sailing quite similar in expense to a committed one-person campaign.
• “It makes it hard to go back to one-person sailing ” …completely untrue!!! Gaining experience in the 420 increases your sailing ability and means it is easy to switch across classes, whether you are a skipper or a crew. Top 420 sailors have jumped back into one-person boats and have generally been very successful as their sailing careers have developed.

Now you know the 420 will give you a unique experience during your youth sailing years. Don't hesitate and join the #420sailingfun now!

Source: www.420sailing.org.nz

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420 Class: Club, Collegiate = Win, Win

August 1, 2014 by Sail1Design Editor 1 Comment

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