The ILCA 4 is the perfect step-up dinghy for young sailors moving on from the Optimist and looking to enter a faster, more technical class. Equipped with a 4.7 m² sail, it shares the same upper mast and boom as the ILCA 6 and ILCA 7, but features a shorter, pre-bent lower mast section designed specifically for lighter athletes.
Recommended for sailors between 35 and 58 kg, the ILCA 4 is typically suited for those aged 13 and above, although the key factors are always body weight and physical condition. Formerly known as the Laser 4.7, this class is recognised as a youth development category up to 18 years old.
Its versatility makes it ideal for sailors transitioning from the Optimist, newcomers to performance dinghy sailing, and even older master sailors looking for a more manageable rig in strong winds. The ILCA 4 is widely used in youth training programmes across sailing clubs and features in both national and international racing circuits, from club regattas to high-level competitions.
