CONTENDER builder's half model
Maker
Ben Lexcen
(1936 - 1988)
Datec 1970
Object number00054986
NameModel
MediumTimber
DimensionsOverall: 130 × 610 × 180 mm
Copyright© Ben Lexcen
ClassificationsModels
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionA builder's half model of CONTENDER. It comprises a bread and butter construction in celery pine and cedar attached to a wooden base to be hung from the wall.
Builder's half models have been a common design tool for centuries. The designer would carve the shape he wanted based on his experience of vessel design, and then the shape could be lifted from the model and drawn out full size to create frames or moulds around which the hull was built. The half model also became a presentation item for the designer or builder to use the demonstarte the hull shape.
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.
SignificanceLexcen made this model in the later 1960s as he developed the design and built the prototype in wood. The Contender was a created in response to request for a new single-handed high performance sailing dinghy. The first version had low freeboard, as shown on this model. After the first set of International trial races in Europe in which the prototype performed very well, The freeboard was increased as this was a criticism of the design. After winning the second set of trials the Contender became an international class.
