Class Description

• The c420 is unique to North America.
• The International 420, or I420 is a different boat and is used everywhere else in the world.  It is similar but a more technical boat.
• The FJ (Flying Junior) is another similar boat frequently used by high school sailing programs
• All of these boats are meant to be trainers for double handed sailing and all have advantages and disadvantages
• In the Annapolis ecosystem, sailors will generally compete in school provided fleets of FJs for high school sailing and compete in c420s that are privately owned for competitions outside of high school sailing

Where To Buy (NEW)

• https://simmonsbw.com/collections/club-420-boat-package
• https://zimsailing.com/boats/club-420

Where To Buy (USED)

• https://sailingjobs.sail1design.com/classified/c420-class-s-browse-96.aspx
• Ask your local coach for families who are aging out

Cost

• A complete boat ready to race will cost you about $13K new and somewhere between $6K and $10K for a used one.  I would only recommend purchasing a used boat with a recommendation from other sailors or a coach if you plan to race it.

Where It Is Sailed

• AYC and SSA support high school sailing and learn to sail and travel race teams at multiple levels including a more local Bay option and a more intensive travel focused team as well as clinics and boat storage.
• Both clubs offer membership options at low costs for non-members to sail and store their boats on site if they are an active part of a race team
• Different clubs have different personalities and focus on different things from sailing technique to character development and you should try before you buy
• One United (https://www.oneunitedsailing.org) and other travel teams offer higher level options for sailors that want to take if to the next level and often require an application and resume review

Typical Schedule

• February (Mid-Winters, Jensen Beach FL)
• June (Brooke Gonzalez Clinic, Newport RI)
• Summer (Triple Crown or Bay Regattas depending on skill level)
•  Fall (Southeast Champs & ACCs)
• Winter (Team Race Midwinters & Orange Bowl)

Summer Option #1 (Triple Crown)

• North Americans (Also includes Women's North Americans)
• US Nationals
• Southshore
• Sailors also typically sail the CJ Buckley Team Race, New England Champs and Youth Champs as available with training between those events

Summer Option #2 (Bay Regattas)

• All of the kids sailing the Triple Crown events started out learning to sail by doing the CBYRA summer circuit which includes a fantastic array of regattas around the Bay but primarily focused between the Annapolis area, Hampton and Fishing Bay.
• This is also a great choice for sailors who have decided to not put a second mortgage on their parents houses to travel all summer for sailing and/or have jobs and internships.  The level of competition at most of the events is great and it gives regular sailors a chance to compete with the private coach crowd off somewhere else.  I have included a sample schedule in the links but see your Club for the events for the upcoming summer or check out the CBYRA junior calendar online.

Upcoming Key Events

• https://club420.org/calendar

Spare Parts

• We used to get all of our spare parts from the manufacturer of the boat we purchased but almost everyone has c420 parts including local distributors
• If you damage your hull and need repairs and are unwilling to do it yourself, most coaches will make the repairs on the side or connect you with someone who can help you out.  

Websites

• https://club420.org/calendar
• https://www.instagram.com/club420class/?hl=en
• https://www.facebook.com/Club420Association
• https://www.ussailing.org/one-design-profile/club-420/
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/420_(dinghy)

Typical Family/Travel Splits

• The boat requires a skipper who generally owns the boat and pays for expenses related to the boat like repairs and sails and transportation and a crew who splits costs like hotels, food and travel.  Each Skipper/Crew pairing has their own setup but in most cases the travel is split and the Skipper/Crew share accommodations to cut down on costs.  It is super important that you talk through expenses and how you will split the up front to keep things fun.  It is unusual for pairings to last forever and they will swap around at a dizzying pace.  Coaches are the best source for potential fits for your sailor but different coaches have different levels of energy for matchmaking and sometimes you just have to show up and start sailing and see what develops.

Ideal Size/Weight

• I think most people would say that the ideal combined weight for this boat is 270-290 pounds.  That answer, however, ignores the amazing number of light wind days they will sail in on the Bay and the heavy wind racing they will do on the Triple Crown circuit eventually which will suit different crew combinations.  The reality is that a well trained duo who puts in the work will win in most average cases by making smart decisions and not slowing down the boat.  Remember that this is a training boat and not a destination so practicing with great coaches and high level sailors is more important than the perfect weight combination.

What The First Place Sailor Knows That You Do Not

• They are doing high school sailing at a high level in the fall and spring for a good team and getting time in the boat at competitions
• They are spending time in the boat park forming relationships and learning about how to rig the boat and always making improvements
• They are reviewing video as a duo on their own and discussing ways to improve
• They are part of a team that travels and invests in them year round
• They are doing team racing
• They take care of their boat and gear with early arrivals at regattas and review of local knowledge on tides and currents
• They are sailing at least one other type of boat on a regular basis
• They are having fun

Parent Notes

• So be prepared for some highs and lows.  Sometimes c420 sailing can feel like a Mean Girls set  where your angel is not being invited to prom.  Again, and again and again.  And sometimes there will be kids on the team acting inappropriately and the 20 something  year old coach will not know how to handle it and the director will blow it off because their job depends on the board liking them.  All of that will make you want to explore whether it is too late for them to find a new sport.  But hold on.  Just wait.  At some point they will find their way.  A door will be opened and they will become a part of a fraternity of like minded sailors who network and support each other.  They will realize that it is more important to focus on their own skills and develop them than to lament their partnerships.  They will see pathways to college and start really working on their skill set.  And they will build bonds with a group that will last a lifetime.  Let's not forget the sailing.  The feeling of being in total harmony with another person and mastering the skill sets that put them at the front of the fleet and keep them there is addictive and rewarding  and only a few kids in our world get to experience it.  So hang in there.  They will find someone to sail with and it will get better!