Evaine 12 K 2

A Classic 12-Metre with a Storied Past

A New Generation of Racing (1936–1939)

Commissioned in 1936 by Sir Richard Fairey, President of Fairey Aviation, Evaine was a second-generation 12-Metre yacht designed by Charles E. Nicholson and built by Camper & Nicholsons. She was intended to replace Fairey’s earlier Flica I, which had become uncompetitive.

Evaine quickly proved herself on the racecourse, finishing second overall in her debut season and third the following year. However, as World War II approached, regattas ceased, and Evaine was laid up, not sailing again until the late 1950s.

A Training Legend (1957–1959)

Following Sir Richard Fairey's death in 1956, Evaine was purchased by Owen Aisher to serve as a training yacht for the new America's Cup challenger, Sceptre. In early trials, the 22-year-old Evaine consistently outpaced the brand-new Sceptre, forcing designers to make multiple modifications. Only after 43 days of training did Sceptre surpass Evaine, clocking in 33 seconds per mile faster — though skipper Stan Bishop still believed Evaine to be the better boat.

Fire, Failure, and an Unexpected Comeback (1959–1970)

After her public training role, Evaine was sold in 1959. Four years later, she was damaged by fire, destroying her deck and interior. Sold for just £3,000 to a French company aiming to charter her in the Mediterranean, she underwent minimal repairs — a plan that ultimately failed.

In 1968, after five years of neglect, Evaine was bought at auction for £2,750 by Graham Godfray. He restored her and brought her back to the racing scene. In August 1970, at 34 years old, Evaine shocked the sailing world by winning the Britannia Cup, likened by one newspaper to “a restored red-label Bentley winning a Grand Prix.”

Atlantic Crossing and New Challenges (1971–1984)

A month after her regatta win, Evaine ran aground due to a broken mooring line but escaped major damage. In March 1971, Godfray and a seven-man crew made a bold move — attempting an Atlantic crossing without GPS. After five weeks at sea, Evaine arrived in New York, becoming the first 12-Metre to make the journey with a full crew. She later returned to England via the Hudson River.

Tragedy struck in Jersey harbor when a truck driver removed a safety rope to pass — and Evaine capsized during low tide. Declared a total loss, she was moved to Barry, South Wales in 1974, where she languished beside a storage shed.

Rediscovery and Restoration (1984–1994)

In 1984, classic yacht enthusiast John Smith discovered Evaine in poor condition. He purchased her and made her just seaworthy enough to sail 400 miles to Inverness — a journey during which she reportedly took on 200 gallons (≈910 liters) of water per hour. In Inverness, she was restored and converted into a cruiser, spending the next decade in Scotland.

A New Chapter in Germany (1994–Present)

In 1994, John Smith sold Evaine to her current owner, Andreas Wehner. After initial repairs at McGruers Shipyard in Scotland, she was transported to Lübeck, Germany in 2001 for further restoration at Krause & Wucherpfennig, specialists in classic yachts.

Since 2002, Evaine has returned to the regatta scene, competing alongside other renowned classics like Trivia, Sphinx, Vanity V, and Thea — a testament to her enduring spirit and elegant performance.