| Lexia |
 |
| Rig Class. | Auxiliary Cutter |
| Year built: | 1931 |
| General characteristics |
| Ton: | 40 tons |
| LOA: | 60 feet |
| Beam: | 13ft 6in |
| Draught: | 9 feet |
Unable to find a second-hand cruiser to suit him, Rose-Richards asked Shepherd to design him a ship in December 1930. The design was complete in January, she was built at Lymington and was sailing in July. A month later she entered the Fastnet Race and, although not built to the Ocean Racing Club's formula, she was the first British yacht (behind the American Dorade) on handicap.
In February 1932 she sailed from Chichester to Madeira, and then made her way to Las Palmas, Trinidad, Grenada, St Lucia, St Kitts, St Thomas and the Virgin Group, Nassau, Miami, Charleston, Norfolk and Boston, before refitting in Long Island Sound for the Bermuda Race. From there she sailed for home and picked up her moorings in Chichester six months after leaving them.
In 1933 she cruised to Gibraltar, Morocco and then home again via Cadiz, Lisbon and Oporto.
She was, therefore, a comfortable and sturdy cruiser, able to steer herself, heave to, and make good passage speed.
Owners