International 12 Metre Class yacht SOUTHERN CROSS Tank Testing Hull Model 7202
Maker
Ben Lexcen
(1936 - 1988)
Date1972
Object number00054983
NameModel
MediumFibreglass, timber, paint, metal, rope
DimensionsDisplay dimensions: 340 × 1510 × 290 mm
Copyright© Ben Lexcen
ClassificationsModels
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionThe SOUTHERN CROSS tank testing hull model 7202. It comprises a fibreglass hull model painted in white with a navy blue stripe along the length of it. In the interior there are two timber bars along the width and three metal hinges. Tied along one of the bars is a white cord.
Tank testing yacht designs has been an important tool for a yacht designer to assess changes in a yacht's proportions and their effects on its potential importance. For many years only smaller scale models could be tested because of the small size tanks available.
Lexcen and his design team which included draughtsman and model builder Dennis Philips built and tested a small number of 1:13.3 scale models for the design of the yacht SOUTHERN CROSS in 1974 with the series number 71xx and 72xx. They were run in the small tank at the University of Sydney Engineering Department.
HistoryBen Lexcen (formerly Bob Miller) 1936-1988 was one of Australia’s principle yacht designers from the 1960s until his death in 1988. He created a number of revolutionary and unorthodox designs and gained International respect. The ocean racing yachts MERCEDES III, APOLLO and GINGKO were amongst his most significant designs, along with the IYRU Contender Class single handed dinghy, and the 18-foot skiffs TAIPAN and VENOM. He was the designer of America’s Cup boats from 1974 until 1987, including SOUTHERN CROSS and AUSTRALIA and was the designer for AUSTRALIA II which won the America's Cup in 1983, a major National and International sporting achievement.
His career began under the name Bob Miller, and formed a sail making and design partnership with Craig Whitworth during the 1960s called Miller & Whitworth, which lasted until the mid-1970s. At that time he changed his name to Ben Lexcen, and had a brief design partnership with Johan Valentjin to design AUSTRALIA KA5 and other yachts. This was disbanded around 1978, and he worked under the Lexcen name with a small staff based in his home at David Place Seaforth. After the design of AUSTRALIA II for the 1983 America’s Cup win he established a drawing office which included Peter Lowe as a senior partner. This became Lexcen Lowe Design and a few years after he died it became Peter Lowe Design.
SignificanceTank Testing Builder's Model 7202 was one the early models developed for the SOUTHERN CROSS design. Although slightly damaged it shows the geenral proportions of the final hull design and is clearly a stage in the process to refine the hull with its long overhansg and full forebody. It is GRP construction, which was used for the last three or four models built by Phillips and tested by Lexcen and his team.
