Parker 470 Dinghy

[JamesCampbell]

Hi Chaps, its funny what you aquire for your own services, and tomorrow I pick up a Parker 470 Dinghy, had a quick look and looks sound enough but cant find any info on it at all, I beleive Parker is still in business and would contact them direct but cant find a number, Im also afraid that it's up to 35 years old although it looks only a few years old can any one share any info they might have on it, either way the kids will love it, well me too.

Thanks
James

 

[tyce]

start your search here.
http://www.sealasc.org.uk/

 

[michael_w]

Better off looking here

If it is that old it may not be in very good shape. 470s are renowned for being very lightly built, A buddy of mine used to be pretty competetive in one; he reckoned 6 months was the lifetime for top competition. The reason being that it was vital for the boat to be down to weight. The only way to achieve this with the basic polyester materials allowed, is to cut the lay-up to the bare minimum.

 

[MikeBz]

Possibly not the best dinghy to take kids out in... The boom is very low (like barely off the deck at the aft end).

Mike

 

[Alfie168]

Parkers were still working when I drove past this morning
www.parkeryachts.co.uk

They build cruisers now, and the mainstay of their range is the rather nice 235 trailer sailer.

What I can say is that having sailed Parker Larks over 25 years ago they were better made than any other Lark. As other have said the 470 is a pretty highly strung device not really designed to last a long time, but Parkers were as well made as any. I wouldn't stop anyone buying a 470. I sailed one in Brittany when I was 11 (1965) , and I don't see that a 470 is a problem for taking kids out as long as its in light airs only and you use lots of common sense.

Is it the BEST boat for taking kids out in? Well not really I'd have thought.

Tim