Construction Sections for AUSTRALIA II
Designer
Ben Lexcen
(1936 - 1988)
Date20 August 1981
Object numberANMS1543[325]
NamePlan
MediumInk on film
DimensionsOverall: 1780 x 860
Copyright© Ben Lexcen
ClassificationsMaps, charts and plans
Credit LineAustralian National Maritime Museum Collection purchased with USA Bicentennial Gift funds
DescriptionThe hull ring-frame construction drawing, made by the RJ King from the Ben Lexcen design office, and used to build the hull and deck of AUSTRALIA II, the world-famous winner of the 1983 America’s Cup.
HistoryAustralian entrepreneur Alan Bond, began his quest for the coveted America’s Cup in the early 1970’s using Ben Lexcen (then Bob Miller) as the chief designer. Their 1974 challenger SOUTHERN CROSS (KA-4) was not successful but they went on to design and build AUSTRALIA (KA-5), for the 1977 and 1980 races. For the initial design of AUSTRALIA (KA-5) in 1977, Ben Lexcen teamed up Johan Valentijn, a young but experienced Dutch naval architect, who had previously worked for Sparkman & Stephens in the United States. Ben Lexcen and Johan Valentijn spent seven months in 1976 testing 1/9th scale models of AUSTRALIA (KA-5), at the University of Delft test tank in the Netherlands. Ben Lexcen redesigned AUSTRALIA (KA-5), for the 1980 America’s Cup series. During the 1980 trials in the US against other competing yachts, AUSTRALIA sailed well and again won all the elimination trials to challenge. The 1980 America’s Cup was not won by AUSTRALIA (KA-5), but the yacht and work carried out, was a considerable help in the future design and build of AUSTRALIA II (KA-6).
During the early part of 1981, Ben Lexcen spent four months at the Netherlands Ship Model Basin in Wageningen designing and testing scale models of the hull and ballast keel for AUSTRALIA II, and for a second 12mR yacht for Alan Bond, CHALLENGE 12. Design work continued on both yachts after Ben Lexcen returned to Australia in 1981, but the hull construction drawings were clearly well underway by July and August 1981. The hull and deck ring-frame construction drawings, made by in-house designer John King, shows the yacht was built to Lloyds Rules of The Construction of metal yachts. The design drawings, and the materials used, would have need to be approved by Lloyds, before work could start on the construction.
The 19.5 m (63.97-feet) International 12mR yacht AUSTRALIA II (KA-6), was built in aluminium by Steve E. Ward & Co. boatyard in Perth, Western Australia and launched in 1982. The famous inverted wing keel was cast by the Western Australia at the State Engineering Works. At the time it was the largest lead casting of its kind in the world. The yacht was shipped to Newport Rhode Island in the United States, in early 1983 for elimination trials against six other yachts, trying to challenge for the cup. This is included the British challenger VICTORY OF BURNHAM the French FRANCE II, CHALLENGE 12 for Australia, AZZURA from Italy, CANADA from Canada and ADVANCE also from Australia. AUSTRALIA II (KA-6), beat all the other challengers.
The America’s Cup trophy had been held by the New York Yacht Club since 1851, successfully defending twenty-four challenges for 132 years. The 1983 America’s Cup took place at Newport Rhode Island from September 14th to the 26th between the American yacht LIBERTY representing the New York Yacht Club and AUSTRALIA II representing The Royal Perth Yacht Club. The Australian yacht AUSTRALIA II (KA-6) designed by Ben Lexcen and captained by John Bertrand beat, the American yacht LIBERTY captained by Dennis Conner, four races out of the seven.SignificanceConstruction design work, made by Ben Lexcen and his team for AUSTRALIA II in 1981 and 1982 is of significant interest, but this work clearly demonstrates the importance of time dedicated to reducing the overall weight of the hull and deck, while maintaining the maximum strength and stiffness of the hull. Any saving in weight, no mater how small, can help make the yacht sail faster and stand a better chance of winning. The hull and deck ring-frames are shown with lightening holes, and all effort made to save weight.
