Rudder lines plan for AUSTRALIA II
Designer
Ben Lexcen
(1936 - 1988)
Date1983
Object numberANMS1543[316]
NamePlan
MediumInk on tracing film
DimensionsOverall: 970 x 720
Copyright© Ben Lexcen
ClassificationsMaps, charts and plans
Credit LineAustralian National Maritime Museum Collection purchased with USA Bicentennial Gift funds
DescriptionThe lines plan of an early rudder shape, designed by Ben Lexcen, and water tank tested at the Netherlands Ship Model Basin in Wageningen in 1981.HistoryAustralia’s quest for the coveted America Cup began in 1962 with the Alan Payne designed, GRETEL and in 1966 DAME PATTIE by Warwick J. Hood. This was followed in 1966 with GRETEL II. In 1973/74 charismatic entrepreneur Alan Bond, hired Ben Lexcen (then Bob Miller) to design SOUTHERN CROSS. The 1974 challenge was not successful, but they went on to design and build AUSTRALIA for the 1977 and 1980 races.
For the design of AUSTRALIA (KA-5) in 1977, Lexcen teamed up Johan Valentijn, a young but experienced Dutch naval architect, who had worked for ‘Sparkman & Stephens’ in the US. The designers worked together as a partnership on a number of yachts including the 45-foot IOR yacht ‘GUIA V’ IN 1976 for experienced Italian racing yachtsman Giorgio Falck.
Lexcen and Valentijn spent seven months in 1976 testing 1/9th scale models of AUSTRALIA at the University of Delft test tank in the Netherlands. This period of on -site design and tank testing scaled models in the water, proved vital for later design work on AUSTRALIA II. The 1977 and 1980 challenges of AUSTRALIA proved unsuccessful, but were a considerable help in the future design and build of AUSTRALIA II. Lexcen started design work late 1980 early 1981, and culminated in September 1983, when AUSTRALIA II won the Americas Cup for Australia.
SignificanceThis plan indicates the on-going process of designing and testing various rudder shapes and sizes in 1981, in order to find the most efficient form to suit the hull and winged keel of the America’s Cup challenge yacht AUSTRALIA II. It is also an example of the vast amount of unseen design work carried out by Ben Lexcen and his team, designing and tank testing, parts and shapes on highly competitive racing yachts. 
