Burgess Atlantic Sailboats for Sale & Market Overview

The Atlantic Class, often referred to simply as the Atlantic, represents a seminal moment in the history of one-design racing and the enduring legacy of naval architect W. Starling Burgess. Commissioned in 1928 by a group of yachtsmen from the Pequot Yacht Club and the Cedarhurst Yacht Club, the vessel was intended to provide a fast, elegant, and strictly uniform racing platform for the waters of Long Island Sound. Abeking & Rasmussen (A&R) was selected to construct the initial fleet due to their unparalleled ability to deliver high-quality wooden hulls at a competitive price point. In 1929, the German shipyard delivered approximately 80 to 100 boats, an extraordinary feat of production for the era. These original "A&R Atlantics" featured cedar planking over oak frames and established the class as one of the most prestigious on the East Coast. The design is characterized by its long, graceful overhangs, a narrow beam, and a deep keel, mirroring the aesthetic and hydrodynamic principles Burgess would later apply to his famous J-Class designs like Enterprise and Ranger. Detailed historical records of the class’s inception and its relationship with the builder are maintained by the Atlantic Class Association.