Zoraida 12 K 8

Design & Construction

Zoraida was built in 1931 to the International Second Rule, designed and constructed by W. Fife & Son on the Clyde. She was planked in teak, consistent with Fife’s high standards of the period, and was launched contemporaneously with Altair, another Second Rule Twelve. Despite sharing pedigree and timing with more successful contemporaries, Zoraida never fulfilled expectations on the racecourse.

Ownership & Naming

The yacht was commissioned by Arthur C. Connell, a partner in a long-established Clyde shipbuilding company and one of the most prominent Twelve Metre owners of the era. Connell deliberately retained the sail number K-8, previously used on his earlier Twelve Zinita, reflecting both continuity and confidence in the new design. Connell would later own Westra and Ornsay, making Zoraida part of a notable lineage of British Twelves.

Racing Career

Zoraida’s competitive record was consistently disappointing. Although expectations were high, she was widely regarded as slow, a reputation confirmed by multiple observers. The respected 6 Metre helmsman Sherman Hoyt, after sailing her at Weymouth, corroborated these assessments.
In 1932, Zoraida recorded 6 firsts, 9 seconds, and 2 thirds from 31 starts, results that fell short of her rivals. Her lack of competitiveness led Connell to sell the yacht at the end of the season.

Later Ownership & Decline

Zoraida was purchased by John R. “Fiddler” Payne, following his sale of Vanity (K-1). Payne, seeking a more modern Twelve, found Zoraida equally disappointing. In 1933, she finished last with 10 starts, recording only 3 seconds and 3 thirds. Her 1934 season was marginally better but still poor, finishing next-to-last, ahead only of Iyruna, with 1 first, 1 second, and 2 thirds from 5 entries.
Subsequently, Zoraida passed to Lorenzo Ferranti, based in Venice, Italy. After this period, her documented history fades.

Final Status

Zoraida eventually disappeared from Lloyd’s Register, and no verified records of preservation, conversion, or survival exist. She is presumed lost or broken up, marking a quiet end to a yacht that, despite impeccable pedigree, never achieved competitive success.