Thames A-class rater


The Thames A Class Rater is both a historic and modern specialist sailing craft designed for the particular conditions at Thames Sailing Club, on the River Thames at Surbiton in England. The class is a development of the Half Rater, which was designed by Linton Hope and Alfred Burgoyne in 1907. The rules refer to the craft as a yacht.
The rig is lofty, supported by standing rigging and usually by runners, and the hull is a scow with metal centreplate.
All boats built before 1922 are made from wood whilst those built since are of a different construction.
The rater is extremely fast, planes easily, and is a technically highly challenging boat to sail in anything above moderate wind conditions. It is usually sailed with a crew of three.
Raters have traditionally commuted by river under tow between Thames Sailing Club at Surbiton and Upper Thames Sailing Club at Bourne End, Buckinghamshire.

Where raters sail

  • Thames Sailing Club
  • Upper Thames Sailing Club
  • Yangon Sailing Club
  • Regattas
Mixed in with large fleets of other boats, the raters are usually seen at the following regattas with very tight, close quarters racing.
Unusually, for a class designed about a rule allowing wide variation in most design parameters, individual boats are handicapped.

The Queens Cup

Presented by Queen Victoria in 1893 the race is set to be nine miles with a four-hour time limit. The race takes place on the final day of Bourne End week and is considered the most prestigious race that the raters compete in.