Dream Boat

 

Dream boat? The Thames A-Rater. A legend with sails taller than most trees. One day... #SailingGoals #ThamesARater

In an age where technology moves fast and sailing trends come and go, the Thames A-Rater stands out as an enduring classic. It has outlived the rule that gave it birth (the 1887 rating rule was replaced in the 20th century by new measurement rules, but the Raters kept their name and format) and even its original purpose (few nowadays sail to “win a gentleman’s wager” or for the patronage of a Queen, but the sport remains). The boat that was once cutting-edge in 1890 is still cutting through the water in 2025, giving joy to those who sail and watch. As long as there are sailors on the Thames who love a challenge, who respect history, and who aren’t afraid of a 45-foot mast on a 8-meter boat, the Thames A-Raters will continue to flourish. They carry with them the legacy of Victorian craftsmen, the fingerprints of innovators like Burgoine and Hope, and the competitive memories of countless Bourne End duels. In doing so, they remind us that innovation in sailing is not just about what’s new – sometimes it’s about how you can keep improving and preserving the best ideas of the past. The Thames A-Rater, graceful and bold, is living proof that some designs truly stand the test of time, given a community devoted to their future.

This is why I want to own and race an A-Rater