1909 – 1999
Alfred E.(Bill)Luders spent most of career working at Luders Marine Constuction, originally founded by his father. During WWII, the company built more than 100 vessels for the Military including minesweepers, patrol craft and submarine chasers.
During the 1930's, Luders had great success as designer and skipper in the six meter class.
In 1958, the yard built the America's Cup boat Weatherly to the design of Philip Rhodes. Weatherly was not a successful campaigner in that series, but after a redesign by Mr. Luders, she successfully defended the cup in 1964.
Among the many famous yachts Mr. Luders designed was the sloop American Eagle, built originally for the America's Cup competition but most successful as an ocean racer under the helm of media mogul, Ted Turner.
Mr. Luders designed , and his shipyard built, many others yachts for owners such as King Olaf V of Norway, actor Yul Brenner, Nelson Rockefeller and the Pulitzer family.
The Luders yard closed in 1968. The last racing yachts designed and built by him were a number of 5.5 meter sloops, a class used in Olympic and international competition.
Some of his better known yachts, built in series, are shown here.
| Name | LOA (ft) | First Built | Last Built | Rig |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ALC 46 (LE COMTE) | 45.83 | 1973 | — | Masthead Sloop |
| ANNAPOLIS 44 | 44.08 | 1963 | — | Masthead Sloop |
| CLIPPER 33 (CHEOY LEE) | 32.92 | 1970 | 1987 | Staysail Ketch |
| CLIPPER 36 (CHEOY LEE) | 35.63 | 1969 | 1988 | Staysail Ketch |
| CLIPPER 42 (CHEOY LEE) | 42.42 | 1972 | — | Staysail Ketch |
| CLIPPER 48 KETCH (CHEOY LEE) | 47.92 | 1979 | — | Masthead Ketch |
| CLIPPER 48 SCHOONER (CHEOY LEE) | 47.92 | 1979 | — | 2 Mst. Schooner |
| CRUISAIRE 30 CLIPPER (CHEOY LEE) | 30 | 1969 | — | Cutter |
| CRUISEMASTER 37 | 36.83 | 1969 | — | Masthead Sloop |
| FASTNET 45 (LE COMTE ) | 45.58 | 1968 | — | Masthead Sloop |
| LUDERS 16 | 26.33 | 1933 | 1979 | Fractional Sloop |
| LUDERS 21 | 21.25 | 1967 | — | Fractional Sloop |
| LUDERS 24 | 38 | 1935 | — | Fractional Sloop |
| LUDERS 27 (1955) | 40 | 1955 | — | Masthead Sloop |
| LUDERS 27 (1960) | 27.92 | 1960 | 1985 | Fractional Sloop |
| LUDERS 30 (CHEOY LEE) | 29.83 | 1969 | 1978 | Masthead Sloop |
| LUDERS 33 (ALLIED) | 33 | 1966 | 1974 | Masthead Sloop |
| LUDERS 36 (CHEOY LEE) | 35.5 | 1966 | 1978 | Masthead Sloop |
| LUDERS 44 | 44 | 1939 | — | Masthead Yawl |
| LUDERS 44 (FG) | 44.2 | 1963 | — | Masthead Yawl |
| MIDSHIPMAN 36 (CHEOY LEE) | 35.75 | 1973 | — | Masthead Ketch |
| MIDSHIPMAN 40 (CHEOY LEE) | 39.83 | 1972 | — | Masthead Ketch |
| OFFSHORE 28 (LUDERS) | 27.97 | 1972 | — | Masthead Sloop |
| OFFSHORE 47 (CHEOY LEE) | 46.75 | 1973 | — | Masthead Ketch |
| SEA SPRITE 27/28 | 27.92 | 1960 | 1985 | Fractional Sloop |
| SEA SPRITE 30 | 30.17 | 1982 | — | Fractional Sloop |
| SEA SPRITE 34 | 33.84 | 1980 | — | Fractional Sloop |
| VIKING 31 (LUDERS) | 31.36 | 1947 | — | Fractional Sloop |