Haida, is the name used for several yachts owned by American yeast millionaire, Major Max C. Fleischmann (Fleischmann Yeast), benefactor of the construction of the Santa Barbara breakwater. The Major owned 22 different yachts during his lifetime, naming most of them Haida after the Haida Indians whose sailing skills he admired.

The ship was constructed to be exceptionally strong in order to serve for long scientific, fishing, and pleasure cruises in the Pacific waters off the Californian coast.