Two sailors handling the main and jib of a Club 420 on Sand Lake

Sand Lake Rec

Club 420

The boat everyone learns on — quick, forgiving, and ready to race.

If you took a sailing lesson anywhere in America in the last forty years, odds are it was on a 420. Ours are rigged simply — main and jib, no trapeze until you ask for it — and they're light enough that two people can have one off the rack and rigged in fifteen minutes.

The 420 rewards good habits and shrugs off bad ones. Capsize it (everyone does, eventually) and it comes back up with a foot on the centerboard and no drama. When Wednesday-night racing rolls around, this is the fleet we race, so the boat you learn on is the boat you'll compete in.

Required to reserve

Dinghy Skipper rating

You can rig, launch, sail, capsize-recover, and land a centerboard boat by yourself, and you know when the weather says don't.

How to earn it: Complete Learn to Sail II, or pass the dinghy checkout.

The checkout: Rig, launch, sail a triangle course, demonstrate a controlled capsize recovery, and land at the dock under sail.

See the rating ladder See the class

Live availability

Reserve Club 420.

Reservations by phone

Reserve Club 420.

Tell us your day, time, and group size. We’ll confirm the boat, weather window, and any rating or orientation you need.

Call to reserve