graham
Well-Known Member
Would an old one be any good as a knock about sailing dinghy possibly with smaller sails for the kids? 10and 13
420 dinghy
- Thread starter graham
- Start date
Cloven
Well-Known Member
IMHO I would have thought its a bit too race oriented even with smaller sails. Something like a Mirror would be more appropriate.
michael_w
Well-Known Member
Yes. One of the finest "youth" dinghies of all time. Don't go for smaller sails let them learn how to use the trapeze and the kite.
I had one, when I was a kid and loved it to bits. The only problem being their tendancy to invert when capsized.
I had one, when I was a kid and loved it to bits. The only problem being their tendancy to invert when capsized.
Twister_Ken
Well-Known Member
I'm with Michael.
Perfect, and swimming lessons too.
Perfect, and swimming lessons too.
fluffc
Well-Known Member
They're quite tippy, and round bilged. Not for beginners, unless your kids like swimming. IMHO a bit too much for your ten-year old.
<Don't Laugh> An optimist might be a better bet - these are raced up to age 15.
If you are after a 'knock about' dinghy, then a Topper is about as an abusable dinghy you can get...
<Don't Laugh> An optimist might be a better bet - these are raced up to age 15.
If you are after a 'knock about' dinghy, then a Topper is about as an abusable dinghy you can get...
kengill
Well-Known Member
Use the big sails - they'll love it. Perfect boat for kids to have fun in. If worried about the inversion problem have the mast filled with foam and make them learn to haul!!
My elder daughter learnt to trapeze at 9 years old on my old 505 and still won't let me sell her harness fifteen years later!
My elder daughter learnt to trapeze at 9 years old on my old 505 and still won't let me sell her harness fifteen years later!
Phoenix of Hamble
Well-Known Member
I grew up with a 420 too.... about as much fun as a 14 year old can have in a boat.... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
They'd struggle with it now (but have a load of fun), however, be aware that the 420 is classically a boat for lighter sailors, and a big 15 year old might find it a bit frustrating... although probably only an issue if they want to race...
Definitely wouldn't go for an Oppy.... great for smaller kids, but at 13, most are moving on unless they are seriously into the racing scene...
So I guess it depends on how long you'd want them to keep it... Remove the kite when they first start, and they'll love it if they can swim well, and are prepared to be challenged a little bit...
A 420 on a broad reach with a youngster out on the wire is seriously good fun!
They'd struggle with it now (but have a load of fun), however, be aware that the 420 is classically a boat for lighter sailors, and a big 15 year old might find it a bit frustrating... although probably only an issue if they want to race...
Definitely wouldn't go for an Oppy.... great for smaller kids, but at 13, most are moving on unless they are seriously into the racing scene...
So I guess it depends on how long you'd want them to keep it... Remove the kite when they first start, and they'll love it if they can swim well, and are prepared to be challenged a little bit...
A 420 on a broad reach with a youngster out on the wire is seriously good fun!
DJE
Well-Known Member
Our two had great fun (and some pretty serious racing) in an RS Feva from about 12 to 14 years old. Now they've moved on to Lasers.
graham
Well-Known Member
Thanks for all the advice people, sounds like it could be a lot of fun for not much cash (hope they let me have a go /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif).going to have a butchers tommorow.
Jobs_a_ good_ un
Well-Known Member
Go on graham buy it we can have a race wayfarer againsnt a 420 what ever one of thoses are
regards
regards
BlueSkyNick
Well-Known Member
Seeing as your boys are not beginners to sailing, I am sure it will be perfect. Make sure there is enough breeze if you are going out on it too /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
eastcoastbernie
Well-Known Member
I owned and sailed a 420 in the past. Then went on to sail a 505. The 505 was a much easier boat to sail! The 420 class rules don't allow any labour-saving devices so is very tricky to sail. In the right conditions, it will keep up with a 5 oh, but is much more likely to capsize. Then, when it does capsize it immediately goes turtle and is very difficult to right.
But obviously much more fun than a wayfarer, or an oppie or a mirror.
I would have thought a lot depends on where it is to be sailed. A safe bit of inland water with good rescue facilities, no problem. More dangerous waters without supervision and/or rescue close by, I might be more worried.
I speak as a mother!
But obviously much more fun than a wayfarer, or an oppie or a mirror.
I would have thought a lot depends on where it is to be sailed. A safe bit of inland water with good rescue facilities, no problem. More dangerous waters without supervision and/or rescue close by, I might be more worried.
I speak as a mother!
fireball
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
The 420 class rules don't allow any labour-saving devices so is very tricky to sail. In the right conditions, it will keep up with a 5 oh, but is much more likely to capsize.
[/ QUOTE ]
Hmm - can't agree with your capsize comment - I owned 2 from about the age of 12/13 for 4 years - never had a problem with it, raced really well, but came into it's own in a blow where the small rig (compared to the others in the handicap fleet) meant that we were powering up as they were flattening down ... boy did we make it fly ...
Great fun - superb beach boat if you get an old cheapy.... and big enough for the big kids to have a laugh in!
The 420 class rules don't allow any labour-saving devices so is very tricky to sail. In the right conditions, it will keep up with a 5 oh, but is much more likely to capsize.
[/ QUOTE ]
Hmm - can't agree with your capsize comment - I owned 2 from about the age of 12/13 for 4 years - never had a problem with it, raced really well, but came into it's own in a blow where the small rig (compared to the others in the handicap fleet) meant that we were powering up as they were flattening down ... boy did we make it fly ...
Great fun - superb beach boat if you get an old cheapy.... and big enough for the big kids to have a laugh in!
balladsailor
Member
Superb boat for youngsters.. somewhat under powered, but great for lightweights. I still have one despite buying an RS200.
eastcoastbernie
Well-Known Member
What and you never capsized! I think I will need evidence of that! I have an old photograph of my 420 with the rescue boat clearly in view. It used to tail us every time we went out. If you never capsized, you can't have been trying!
fireball
Well-Known Member
Read Balladsailors comments - Somewhat Underpowered ...
My experience was that whenever she healed she luffed up ... so capsizes each season could be counted on 1 hand.
I did have one memorable capsize - it was F7 gusting, we launched (for the race) and went off, planing under jib alone - with crew out on trapeze, main idle.... and still capsized to leeward.... dropped the main and sailed back to the jetty. Only 2 others had launched - the rest saw us capsize and decided if it was too much for a 420 it was much too windy!!!
As for not trying - I think I pushed it as hard as I could ... sunk a fireball with the second boat ... and still won the race ! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
My experience was that whenever she healed she luffed up ... so capsizes each season could be counted on 1 hand.
I did have one memorable capsize - it was F7 gusting, we launched (for the race) and went off, planing under jib alone - with crew out on trapeze, main idle.... and still capsized to leeward.... dropped the main and sailed back to the jetty. Only 2 others had launched - the rest saw us capsize and decided if it was too much for a 420 it was much too windy!!!
As for not trying - I think I pushed it as hard as I could ... sunk a fireball with the second boat ... and still won the race ! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
Twister_Ken
Well-Known Member
Never sailed one myself, a bit too minature for me, but had a lot of fun in 470s, which were also a hoot. Disposable though, they went of after a coupla seasons.
pheonix
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
IMHO I would have thought its a bit too race oriented even with smaller sails. Something like a Mirror would be more appropriate.
[/ QUOTE ]
i for one would second this sentiment or posibly use a miracle dinghy, or possibly a topper which has more street cred for the young and is easily transported
/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
IMHO I would have thought its a bit too race oriented even with smaller sails. Something like a Mirror would be more appropriate.
[/ QUOTE ]
i for one would second this sentiment or posibly use a miracle dinghy, or possibly a topper which has more street cred for the young and is easily transported
/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
fireball
Well-Known Member
Street cred? ... Topper ??? Do you have kids?!
Topper is a great boat though - superb for just throwing around ... but if you gave me a choice I'd go for a 420 every time ....
TO - We overtook 470's in our 420 ... I don't think they were very good though! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
Topper is a great boat though - superb for just throwing around ... but if you gave me a choice I'd go for a 420 every time ....
TO - We overtook 470's in our 420 ... I don't think they were very good though! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
Phoenix of Hamble
Well-Known Member
Yep, I'd agree with that Fireball....
Put two kids out in a breeze in a 420, one out on the wire, and they'd be 'waaaay cool' with their mates!
Topper..... fun, but hardly high street cred.....
Put two kids out in a breeze in a 420, one out on the wire, and they'd be 'waaaay cool' with their mates!
Topper..... fun, but hardly high street cred.....
