Skip to main content
Advanced Search
General arrangement plan with crew depicted
General arrangement plan with crew depicted

General arrangement plan with crew depicted

Designer (1936 - 1988)
Datec 1970
Object numberANMS1543[026]
NamePlan
Mediumink on drafting film
DimensionsOverall: 650 × 640 mm
Copyright© Ben Lexcen
ClassificationsMaps, charts and plans
Credit LineAustralian National Maritime Museum Collection
DescriptionA well-drawn, detailed plan, marked ‘BEN LEXCEN’ for a fast, lightweight sailing skiff, of about 40 feet overall. The crew are seen actively working the boat, which draws the viewer into the story. No information is yet available if this boat was built.HistoryBen Lexcen, (formally Bob Miller) learned to sail and an early age. At 16 he designed and built his first sailing boat THE COMET along with his friend William Bennett at Hamilton, NSW. Later, in 1959, he designed the 18-foot skiff TAIPAN which he raced in the 1960 World Championship. AIPAN’ was an unconventional design, with little resemblance to the typical skiffs of the period. Built of plywood and using modern glues, it was very lightweight, with a single chine hull shape. Instead of the usual six, only three crew sailed the boat, which also carried an overlapping genoa and a spinnaker. Due to gear failures TAIPAN failed to win the World Championships but it was clearly the fastest boat in the fleet and designed changed the way these boats were designed and built. Always looking for new design aspects, and better ways to build a fast boat, Ben Lexcen went on to build the 18-foot VENOM an even more radical design in which he won the world championships in 1961. With this well drawn, detailed design, of a larger skiff of about 40 feet, it is clear the passion for this type of boat was never far away. The design drawing marked ‘BEN LEXCEN’ is clearly a later work after 1977, when he changed his name. It is a particularly well-made drawing, made to scale which sadly is not given. The actions of the seven crew are well presented, and put the viewer on board the boat at sea.SignificanceDespite designing, building and being involved with many large prestigious yachts, it is interesting that Ben Lexcen appears to maintain a keen interest in the smaller competitive boats, such as racing skiff and dinghies which he raced earlier in his life.