Skeaf V
Design and Construction
Skeaf V was an International 12 Metre yacht built to the International First Rule, entering service in the 1912–1913 period. She was the fifth Twelve commissioned by B. Consul Henry Horn, one of the most influential private owners in the early history of the 12 Metre class. As with the other yachts in the Skeaf series, Skeaf V represented an evolutionary step in Horn’s ongoing development program, carried out through successive First Rule designs.
Original Ownership
From launch, Skeaf V was owned by B. Consul Henry Horn, with her home port listed as Schleswig, Germany. Horn was a prominent German industrialist and major wood importer who owned five Twelve Metres, all bearing the name Skeaf. His yachts were active in Northern European racing and formed one of the most significant privately commissioned series of early 12 Metres.
Renaming as Istar and German Ownership
Under subsequent German ownership, Skeaf V was renamed Istar by Freiherr von Pohl, with her home port listed as Hamburg, Germany. Later ownership included Max L. Kruger. By 1923, the yacht appears in Lloyd’s Register, where she is recorded as “Formerly International Metric Class 12 Metre.” This notation reflects the declining competitive role of First Rule yachts as newer rule iterations came into force.
British Ownership and Rig Changes
During the interwar years, Istar passed into British ownership and underwent extensive modification, marking her transition from a pure racing yacht to a cruiser-racer. Owners during this period included Colonel E. H. Cleaver, A. R. Luke, Major Lawrence C. Coats, Major W. Bertram Bell, Brigadier O. L. Prior-Palhem, and Lieutenant Colonel B. C. G. Smoke, with home ports primarily listed as Southampton and Colchester.
The yacht’s rig was altered multiple times:
In 1924, she was converted to a Bermudan cutter
In 1927, the rig was altered
In 1929, she was converted to a Bermudan yawl
In 1931, she was again altered as a Bermudan yawl
In 1938, she was converted back to a Bermudan cutter, with a recorded sail area of 131 m²
An engine was installed in 1933, further confirming her move away from her original racing configuration. During this period, Istar carried an RORC rating of 50.79, RYA sail number 20, and later RORC sail number 186.
Later Years and Loss of Registry
At an unknown date, Istar disappeared from Lloyd’s Register, reflecting her withdrawal from formal racing and classification. Later ownership included Martin Brent, with her home port listed as Fawley, Great Britain. She was re-powered prior to 1961.
It is reported that during her later years the yacht was converted into a houseboat under the name Lofty, lying on the western shore of Langstone Harbour, north of Southsea Marina. During this period she was fitted with legs, allowing her to take the ground at low tide.
Final Years and Break-Up
In her final years, Skeaf V / Istar was owned by Craig Cain and lay ashore at the Hayling Yacht Company, Mill Rythe Lane, Hayling Island, exposed to the weather. A survey carried out by Tim Russell in 2008 recorded her condition as poor. At that time, the yacht lacked her lead keel, spars, and rigging, the stern had been cut away, and significant interior alterations had been poorly executed.
With no buyers interested and restoration no longer considered viable, Skeaf V was broken up in October 2008, bringing an end to a service life of nearly one hundred years.
Historical Significance
Skeaf V is historically significant as a First Rule International 12 Metre, as the final Skeaf yacht commissioned by Henry Horn, and as one of the very few First Rule Twelves to survive into the 21st century, albeit in heavily altered condition. Her long post-racing life illustrates the adaptability of early Twelve Metres and the varied roles they assumed once their competitive careers had ended.