Description
The International 420 (often simply called the 420) is a fiberglass double-handed planing dinghy designed by French engineer Christian Maury in 1959 as an accessible stepping-stone to the larger Olympic-class 470, quickly gaining worldwide popularity for youth racing and training with over 32,000 hulls built since its debut. Measuring exactly 4.2 meters (13 ft 9 in) in length with a narrow 1.83 m (6 ft) beam and lightweight 175 kg (386 lb.) hull featuring internal buoyancy tanks, the Bermuda-rigged sloop boasts a high sail-area-to-displacement ratio—total upwind sail of about 15.2 m² (164 sq ft) from mainsail and jib, plus a 10.6 m² (114 sq ft) symmetric spinnaker—for exhilarating speeds that allow it to plane easily in moderate winds, supported by trapezes for the crew and a centerboard for upwind performance. Crewed by two youth sailors (typically juniors aged 12–18), it emphasizes coordination, hiking, and advanced techniques like spinnaker handling while remaining forgiving for beginners, with strict one-design rules ensuring fair competition; it's recognized as an International class by World Sailing and serves as the official boat for boys' and girls' two-person dinghy events at the Youth Sailing World Championships and national youth regattas in 43 countries. Active fleets thrive globally through the International 420 Class Association, which organizes continental championships and promotes it as a durable, fun platform for developing sailors, blending affordability (used boats often under $5,000) with high-level racing potential that has produced generations of top Olympic competitors.
