The low-down on the International 470 Dinghy
 

I'm interested in purchasing a 470 dinghy and although I've sailed a
bit, I'm not sure whether this type of boat is what I'm looking for.
Can anybody tell me anything or point to a website about this type of
sailing boat?

I know it is a racing boat but do you need a crew to sail it or can
you sail it (comfortably) by one person? Can you sail it slow or is it
always fast?

Thanks in advance
Darren.

On 14 Feb 2005 03:20:57 -0800, (Darren) wrote:

I'm interested in purchasing a 470 dinghy and although I've sailed a
bit, I'm not sure whether this type of boat is what I'm looking for.
Can anybody tell me anything or point to a website about this type of
sailing boat?

I know it is a racing boat but do you need a crew to sail it or can
you sail it (comfortably) by one person? Can you sail it slow or is it
always fast?

Thanks in advance
Darren.

If you are an adept dinghy sailor you could probably daysail it by
yourself. But the way you ask suggests you probably couldn't.

It is made to be sailed by two people, one on a trapeze, the other in
straps. It has a very strict one-design hull, which unfortunately
prevents modern construction that might have extended hull life.

You should be able to get an old one very cheaply, but it will have a
rubbery hull.

HTH



Rodney Myrvaagnes J36 Gjo/a


"We have achieved the inversion of the single note."
__ Peter Ustinov as Karlheinz Stckhausen

Darren wrote:
I'm interested in purchasing a 470 dinghy and although I've sailed a
bit, I'm not sure whether this type of boat is what I'm looking for.
Can anybody tell me anything or point to a website about this type of
sailing boat?


http://www.470.org/

http://www.arrowsails.co.uk/gbr470/boat.htm


I know it is a racing boat but do you need a crew to sail it or can
you sail it (comfortably) by one person? Can you sail it slow or is it
always fast?


Depends on the wind ;)

A good sailor can singlehand a 470, but it's better with crew. If you
singlehand one often, especially in tight quarters or wind above 10mph,
you'll get to be a good sailor yourself.

As for "always fast" I think the 470 has a good rig for depowering, but
there are limits. You could get a set of daysailing/hi wind sails that
would make the boat less squirrelly... in fact one thing to beware of is
that if you buy an old clapped-out racing boat, the sails will be shot
and *will* need to be replaced before the boat will sail decently.

Hope this helps. The 470 is a great boat.

Fresh Breezes- Doug King