Boat Info
The A-Rater class has a rich heritage, shaped by two of the most innovative yacht designers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries: Alfred Burgoine and Linton Hope. Each took a very different approach to working within the A Rater rule, which is based solely on waterline length and sail area.
Burgoine’s designs pushed the limits of sail power, opting for larger sail areas paired with shorter waterlines. While a shorter waterline can limit top speed (according to the Froude number), the generous sail plan created a powerful boat that needed increased beam to provide the stability required to carry so much sail.
Despite the challenges of the post-war era, the A Rater class was one of the few traditional racing fleets to survive beyond World War II. However, with the last wooden A-Rater built in 1922, the number of boats dwindled. A turning point came in 1978, when a mould was taken from Ulva, allowing new A-Raters to be constructed in GRP (glass-reinforced plastic). This move preserved the class for future generations.
To maintain the spirit and fairness of the fleet, a rule change was introduced: no new designs would be accepted. Any new boat had to be an exact replica of one of the original A-Raters.
In 2002, J. Stewart proposed a modern interpretation of the A-Rater. Though it was not a strict replica and thus not class-compliant, it served as an important piece of developmental work, informing future understanding of A-Rater performance and design.
The early 2010s saw another evolution: the first all-carbon A Raters were launched, sporting updated deck layouts inspired by the high-performance 5o5 class. These developments have helped keep the A Rater class not only afloat, but thriving—balancing tradition with carefully considered innovation.
Queens Cup held at Bourne End week End of May Bank Holiday
