The 420: A Pathway to Two-Handed Excellence
The International 420 is a world-renowned two-person dinghy that serves as a vital development platform for youth sailors. It is the premier feeder class for the Olympic 470 and provides an exceptional environment for learning the skills required for two-handed sailing, including communication, teamwork, and advanced boat handling. At Murrays Bay Sailing Club, the 420 offers a pathway for sailors to develop advanced skills in teamwork, tuning, and tactics, qualities that are central to success in all aspects of sailing and life.
Building the Next Generation of Sailing Talent
The 420’s importance is recognised both in New Zealand and worldwide, with the class actively supported by Yachting New Zealand’s youth development programmes. The 420 has always been seen as the ideal stepping stone for young sailors to develop teamwork, communication, and technical skills that are essential not only for the 420, but for progression into Olympic and high-performance classes like the 470, 49er, and 29er. Its balanced design allows sailors to learn about rig tuning and how to manage a full sail plan—including main, jib, and spinnaker. These lessons carry through to all future classes of sailing.
The 420 has proved itself as a breeding ground for top sailing talents. Notably, New Zealand sailors Seb Menzies and Blake McGlashan began their climb to international success in this class, eventually winning world championship gold. Many other top sailors, both locally and globally, have used the 420 as their launchpad.
Celebrating 420 Success Stories
Murrays Bay Sailing Club and the wider New Zealand 420 community have a proud tradition of producing outstanding sailors who have gone on to achieve remarkable results on both national and international stages. Alongside Seb Menzies and Blake McGlashan, who made history with their world championship victory, several other sailors have made their mark in the 420 class.
Josh Ferrissey and Joe Leath
Together, Josh and Joe claimed victory at the New Zealand 420 Sailing Championships in Wellington, dominating the event by winning 12 races. They also earned a remarkable bronze medal at the International 420 World Championships in Rio de Janeiro. Their achievements showcase the calibre of youth talent developed through the 420 class in New Zealand.
These sailors exemplify the development pathway the 420 offers, using the class as a springboard to further success in sailing and as ambassadors for New Zealand youth sailing.
The Ideal Two-Handed Trainer
The 420 is especially well-suited for youth sailors who may not fit into single-handed classes, or who want to specialise in two-person boats. Sailing a 420 teaches crucial skills:
- Teamwork and Partnership: The 420 demands constant communication and co-operation with your crewmate, building both athletic and personal skills.
- Advanced Skill Development: It is the perfect boat to learn about fine-tuning rigs and the consequences of sail trim combinations (main, jib, spinnaker).
- High-Performance Handling: Stable and quick to plane upwind, the 420 rewards technical ability and tactical awareness.
420 Sailing at Murrays Bay
Murrays Bay Sailing Club supports a dedicated 420 programme designed to foster the next generation of two-handed sailors. Our coaching structure, combined with regular racing, creates an environment where youth can thrive and reach their full potential.
- Training Days: Coached training sessions are held on Wednesday evenings.
- Club Racing: The 420 fleet participates in competitive club points racing on Sunday afternoons.
This structured programme helps sailors prepare for high-level national and international competition—including the New Zealand 420 Class National Championship. The 2025 420 Class Nationals will be held 6–9 March, providing an opportunity for emerging sailors to measure themselves against the country’s best.
Learn more about the event and keep updated with the latest Notice of Race here:
Join a World-Recognised Youth Class
Choosing the 420 is a step into a globally recognised development pathway renowned for producing world-class sailors. Whether your goal is to compete at the highest level or simply to experience the challenge and joy of two-handed sailing, the 420 class at Murrays Bay provides the perfect opportunity to build skills that last a lifetime.
Helpful Links:
NZ 420 Class Association
NZ 420 Class Association on Facebook
International 420 Class Association
Yachting New Zealand – 420 Double Handed Dinghy
420 Development Programme Article
Youth Development/Success Stories
