The Difference Between A-Raters, B-Raters, and the Rest of Us

 

The Difference Between A-Raters, B-Raters, and the Rest of Us

Because not all boats on the Thames are created equal

If you’ve spent any time walking along the River Thames near Kingston or further up the River in the idyllic setting of the Upper Thames Sailing Club at Bourne End, you’ll have seen the striking long-masted boats flying down the river. Those are Thames Raters – legendary racing dinghies that have been part of the river’s history since the late 19th century.

But not all Raters are the same. And if you’re like us, pottering about in a Toura, you’ll quickly discover there’s a world of difference between an A-Rater, a B-Rater, and… well, the rest of us.

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A-Raters – The Thoroughbreds

The A-Rater is the Formula 1 car of the Thames.

• Long, slender hulls

• Huge rigs with 43ft masts, twice the high of other dinghies

• Immense sail area

• Often crewed by three skilled sailors

• Speeds that make the rest of us look like we’ve stopped for lunch

They are beautiful, fast, and notoriously demanding. If you helm one, you’ve earned respect.

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B-Raters – The Forgotten Cousins

Fewer were built, and even fewer survive.
Vanessa, built in 1902, may be the last known B-Rater in existence. The sad remains of Saucy Sally are still at Thames Sailing Club. Slightly smaller and less extreme than the A-Raters, the B-Rater was designed to make the class more accessible. Sadly, it never gained the same level of popularity.

They may lack the sheer glamour of an A-Rater, but their history makes them just as fascinating. To many, they can't see the difference in a few feet in length, but the sail is different.

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The Rest of Us – Touras, Merlins, Lasers, and Friends

For the rest of us mere mortals, there’s a whole fleet of boats that make up the backbone of club sailing:

• Merlin Rockets carving tight tacks with spinnakers flying

• OKs and Lasers giving single-handers their thrills

• Touras and Wayfarers for families and learners

• And everything in between, proving that you don’t need an A-Rater to have fun or to race hard

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Why the Difference Matters

Because when you’re learning to sail, it’s easy to look at the Raters and think, “I’ll never get there.” But every sailor starts somewhere.

Whether you’re in an A-Rater chasing glory, a B-Rater holding history together, or a Toura just trying not to be last — you’re part of the same river story.

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Final Thought

The Thames is big enough for all of us: the record-breaking A-Rater, the rare B-Rater, and the rest of us chugging along in boats that suit our skills.

And that’s the beauty of it — every boat has a place, and every sailor has a path.

📖 Read more at https://pmrsailing.uk/Raters/Rater-Boat-Info.html