Broadening the Appeal of 420 Youth Sailing: Is it time for a new class?
By Jim Myers, of Intensity Sails
Is it time for a new class?
The club 420 has been a very successful boat for young sailors in junior programs, all the way to collegiate sailors. There are those, however, who think the boat has too narrow a weight range for her sailors. What do you think?
The interesting thing is that this boat in most cases is not the same thing as the original International 420. The Club 420 was modified to be more robust to handle the rigors of sailing programs and institutions.
The Laser, for example, has gone through similar changes, though not in the hull. The addition of the Radial, 4.7 & now the Rooster 8.1 rigs have broadened the appeal and utility of the boat.
It is time to synthesize the two methods. This past winter I was approached by Roland Van der Meer of the Edgartown & St. Francis yacht clubs to develop a Reduced Area Design, RAD, main sail for the 420. We have all seen the Opti sailers at 12-14 that are not quite ready to hold down a 420 but for any number of reasons they are ready to be out of the Opti. With the RAD sail they not only can make the transition with a more appropriate sail area for their size but if neighboring clubs each have RAD sails they can even compete on a level playing field.
Can the the 420 take some cues from the laser? We do not have to live in a one size fits all world. We own equipment that can inexpensively work for a broader audience and keep more kids in sailing at the age when they are drawn to other sports and activities. Can we really afford not to give this a try?
The 420 RAD Main sail is $199.99 ready to sail at www.intensitysails.com.
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