470
sailboat with centreboard
The 470 is a one-design racing sailboat for two people, designed in 1963 by André Cornu. Equipped with mainsail, bow and spinnaker, it owes its name to the overall length of 470 centimeters (4.7 meters).
The boat is an international class recognized by World Sailing (the world governing body for the sport of sailing, recognized by the IOC, International Olympic Committee) that has replaced the ISAF International Sailing Federation.
The 470 is part of the Olympic classes and participates in the Olympic Regattas since 1976 for the men's category and since 1988 for the women's category.
Drifting boat, technical and competitive that requires great physical preparation in addition to particular tactical knowledge. Considering the particular shape of the hull, the weight and the sail surface is able to glide even with medium intensity breezes.
The symbol of the class is written 470, stylized according to a particular form, described in the rules, reproduced in dark blue in the upper part of the mainsail on both sides of the sail.
The boat is built by several shipyards in the world in fiberglass following the class rules. The main shipyard is Mackay Boats Ltd (New Zealand), in Italy the Nautivela shipyard is still active, a protagonist in the class also at international level in the last decades of the last century.
Among the other historic builders of the 470 we remember the shipyards: Roga (E), Fountaine Pajot (F), Mader Bootswerft (D), Parker Yachts (UK), Vanguard (US).
Among the most famous sails producers: North Sail, Ullman Sails, Olimpic Sails, Murphy & Nye, Quantum Sails.
Among the best helmsmen who have practiced 470 in the most important international regattas: Antonio Gorostegui (E), David Ullman (US), David Barnes (NZ), Tommaso Chieffi (ITA), Jordi Calafat (E), Nathan Wilmot (AUS) and Mathew Belcher (AUS), winner of 8 World Championships between 2010 and 2019.
As mentioned the 470 provides a crew of two people, a helmsman and a crewman. To counteract the force impressed on the sails and to maintain the most efficient set-up in conditions of average wind and sustained the helmsman spills from the hull and the crewman uses the "trapeze".
The evolutions of the 470 in sustained wind conditions and wave formation are spectacular and highlight the technical skills and the harmony of the crew obtained through the training exits.
Technical features:
Crew: 2 people (ideal weight between 110 and 140 kg)
Designer: André Cornu (FRA)
Hull material: VTR - Fiberglass
Year of design: 1963
Length: 4.70 m
Waterline length: 4.40 m
Weight: 120 kg
Total sail area: 12.70 m2
Jib: 3.58 m2
Mainsail: 9.12 m2
Spinnaker: 13.00 m2
