Moyana II 12 K 8

Design & Construction

Moyana II was built in 1924 to the International Second Rule for Wilfred Leuchars, a wealthy South African solicitor based in Great Britain. She was the first of three Twelve Metres commissioned by Leuchars, and notably the only one of the three designed by Alfred Mylne, distinguishing her from the later Fife-designed Moyana yachts.

Her original home port was Greenock, Great Britain, and she initially carried the sail number K-8.

Early Racing Career (1924–1925)

Owner: Wilfred Leuchars
Name: Moyana II

During her early years, Moyana II competed in British regattas, including appearances at the Royal Burnham Yacht Club Regattas in 1924 and 1925. While not as dominant as Leuchars’ later Fife designs, she was a competent Second Rule Twelve and an important step in her owner’s evolving program.

Westard Ho & Maharana (1926–1928)

  • 1926–1927:
    Owner: B. Meaker
    New Name: Westard Ho

  • 1928:
    Owner: Lt. Col. The Hon. C. H. C. Guest
    New Name: Maharana

Under successive British owners, the yacht remained active but largely outside the top tier of Twelve Metre competition.

Estrilda & Mediterranean Ownership (1929–1939)

Owner (from 1929): D. Hanbury
New Name: Estrilda

Renamed Estrilda, the yacht entered a longer and more complex phase of ownership. An engine was installed in 1932, reflecting a gradual shift away from pure racing use.

During the 1930s, Estrilda appears in Lloyd’s Register, though at times without a clearly recorded owner. In this period, two Italian owners are documented:

  • Lorenzo Ferranti

  • Admiral Pietro Giuseppe Lodolo, President of the Yacht Club Italiano in Genoa

This confirms her presence in Italy prior to the Second World War.

Sagrace & Final Refit Attempt (1940–1947)

Owner: Dr. Pier Luigi Roccatagliata
New Name: Sagrace
Home Port: Varazze, Italy

Renamed Sagrace, the yacht entered her final documented chapter. By 1947, she was reported to be in very poor condition and was taken to Cantieri Baglietto in Varazze for a major refit, including conversion to an auxiliary yawl.

Photographs and plans from this refit reportedly exist, confirming that the work at least began. However, no reliable records exist after this point.

Disappearance & Fate

After 1947, Moyana II (ex Westard Ho, Maharana, Estrilda, Sagrace) disappears from Lloyd’s Register. No confirmed records document her return to service, further ownership, or survival.

Her ultimate fate is unknown, though she is widely believed to have been broken up sometime after the failed refit.

Historical Significance

Moyana II is significant as:

  • The first Twelve Metre built for Wilfred Leuchars

  • The only Leuchars Twelve designed by Alfred Mylne

  • A yacht that illustrates the transition of early Twelves from elite racing machines to auxiliary cruising yachts

  • An example of a Twelve whose later life was shaped by Mediterranean ownership and postwar decline