USA 470 Class Association
New-Build Boat Coming to the USA
If you purchase (or are the custodian of) a new-build boat and bring it to the USA, you must register that boat with the US Class Association and pay the appropriate one-time fee. The class will assign a number to that boat. This number is now attached to that specific boat regardless of future transfer of ownership. This is your sail number for racing.
Used Boat in the USA
If you purchase (or are the custodian of) an old boat here in the USA, you must check with the US Class to see if that boat has a previously assigned a USA number. If it hasn’t, a number will be assigned to the boat and you must pay the appropriate one-time fee. This number is now attached to that specific boat regardless of future transfer of ownership. This is your sail number for racing.
New or Used Boat Being Sailed Abroad
If you purchase (or are the custodian of) a new or used boat overseas AND that boat will remain overseas BUT you will represent the USA at championships abroad, then you must register that boat with the US Class Association and pay the appropriate one-time fee. The class will assign a number to that boat. This number is now attached to that specific boat regardless of future transfer of ownership. This is your sail number for racing. This situation is commonplace amongst US Sailing Team athletes, for example.
Multiple Boats Owned by the Same Individual/Team
If you own (or are the custodian of) more than one 470, each boat must still be registered with the US Class and the appropriate one-time fees be paid on EACH boat. As above, each boat will receive confirmation of either a previously-registered sail number OR a newly-assigned sail number. However, so long as the registration of all boats (and their attached sail numbers) within this block of ownership are in good standing, then the owner MAY choose to race ALL owned boats under one of the sail numbers assigned in that block. All “valid numbers” must be listed within the owner’s measurement certificate(s). See 470 Class Rule A.10.4. Example: if USA 1655, USA 1678, and USA 1801 are all owned by the same individual, that individual may race any of the three boats under one of the registered/owned sail numbers (USA 1655, for instance), so long as the registrations of all three boats are in good standing. The purpose of this rule is to allow for an easier exchange of sail equipment between owned boats.
Boat registration (new or used) is a one-time fee of $55.00 per boat. If you’re registering a boat for the first time, chances are good that you ALSO need to become a member of the class association.
Vintage Boats Here in the USA
If you take ownership of a vintage 470 (built before 1999) and are not intending to race the boat, then it is not necessary to carry a measurement certificate (though it is recommended if you are able to recreate the history of the boat). There is no fee for registering the boat. Most owners of older boats are still interested in assigning the boat a proper sail number. The class will assist with this process free of change. Please let the class know the story behind the boat and provide photos. Have you restored it? Where are you sailing?
Transfer of Ownership of Any Boat/Hull
Regardless of whether or not a boat has a previously-assigned sail number, the new owner must pay to register that boat as though it’s a new registration. This is also a one-time fee of $25.00. Per the class rules, “A Change of Ownership invalidates the Measurement Certificate. The new owner shall send the Measurement Form to his (her) own National Authority (in this case, the USA 470 Class Association) and apply for a new Certificate.” Please fill out the following Change-of-Ownership form.
Measurement Certificates
All boats are required to measure at all times and in compliance with the 470 Class Rules. Prior to competing at any level of event all equipment (hull, spars, foils and sails) must be measured and be in compliance with the Class Rules. A measurement form will be completed by the measurer and an official measurement certificate issued.
As part of your boat registration, each boat must have a measurement certificate assigned to it per Class Rule A.11.1. If you are not a paying member of the US Class Association your measurement certificates are considered void for racing.
The measurement certificate must show the valid sail number for that boat, regardless of the racing number the individual may be sailing under. Example: the certificate must ow USA 1801, even if the owner chooses to race under 1655. However, USA 1655 may be listed in the personal numbers section of the certificate. The certificate must be completed and signed by an authority. In the case of athletes on the US Sailing Team that authority is the US Sailing Association; however, US Sailing is NOT in charge of the management of US 470 class sail numbers. Though in the past this was the case, this hasn’t been active for over a decade. Many older coaches and sailors believe US Sailing is still in charge of issuing class numbers. This is NOT the case. The validity of measurement certificates follows Class Rule A.13.
Top-Tip! Scan the paper copy of your measurement certificate and email the digital copy to usa@470.org. We’ll keep a record of it in case you ever need it at future regattas, misplace your original, or sell your boat.
Many common measurement questions and solution are described in this document.
Missing Measurement Certificate
If a boat’s measurement certificate is missing and the Class cannot locate a copy, the boat must be re-measured prior to competing in a major championship. This will be at the owner’s own cost. Major championship include, but are not limited to, the Worlds, Europeans, World Cups, etc. Prior to a re-measurement the Class will make note of the missing paperwork.
Payment to USA 470 Class Association
You can make payment to the USA 470 Class Association via PayPal by clicking on the logo below:
- “Individual Membership” $35 annual fee
- “Boat Registration” $55 one-time fee
- ”Transfer Ownership” $25 one-time fee
- “Coach Membership” $25 annual fee
