Caledonia

Overview

Caledonia was an unbuilt 12 Metre Class yacht design created by Scottish naval architect David Boyd at the request of Uffa Fox. The design was prepared as an illustrative exercise—lines plan and sail plan—for publication rather than for construction. The name “Caledonia” reflected Boyd’s Scottish roots.

Context

In the years surrounding this concept, Boyd had notable success with smaller Metre designs (including the 6 Metre Circe, winner of the Seawanhaka Cup), and Fox was assembling exemplary designs for one of his technical books on yacht design and racing seamanship. For that purpose, Boyd supplied a 12 Metre design to demonstrate contemporary thinking in hull form, appendages, and rig for the International Rule.

Status

No hull named Caledonia was ever built or measured under the 12 Metre Rule, and no sail number or measurement certificate was issued. As a result, Caledonia does not appear in class construction lists or regatta records; it exists as a published concept only.

Significance

Although never launched, Caledonia is part of the design conversation that shaped post-war 12 Metre development. It documents Boyd’s approach to the International Rule at a moment when designers and sailors were actively debating displacement, prismatic distribution, and efficient sail plans—insights that informed later British 12 Metres that did race.