Scale Yacht Model, Wild Oats XI, 2018
Date2018
Object number00055462
NameModel
MediumWood
DimensionsEstimated acquisition size (detached model): 235 × 1140 × 80 cm
ClassificationsModels
Credit LineAustralian National Maritime Museum Collection Gift from the Oatley family
DescriptionThis 1:25 scale model depicts the multiple Sydney to Hobart yacht race winning supermaxi yacht Wild Oats XI in its most current configuration after radical changes were made to the yacht in 2015. These modifications shortened the structure of the yacht, the stern cut off and reconfigured at the bow.
The technical and design features on the model include the canting keel, carbon fibre body, and modified bow and stern. They present the yacht as a design leader in offshore yacht racing. The yacht represents the legacy of Bob Oatley AO, one of Australia's most successful businessmen, enthusiastic sailors, and generous philanthropists. It further embodies the Oatley family’s ongoing commitment to the sport and industry of yachting.HistoryThis 1:25 scale model of Wild Oats XI is a 2018 representation of the yacht following considerable modifications to the yacht in 2015. It acts as the most current representation of the yacht's design evolution, and offers the opportunity to explore the technological and social significance of Wild Oats XI and the Oatley family.
The Australian-built ocean-racing thoroughbred is the most successful yacht to have contested the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race since it began in 1945. Wild Oats XI first raced in 2005, and since then has won line honours a record nine times, recorded a race record time twice and won on corrected time on two occasions. The 2012, standing, race record set by Wild Oates XI is a time of one day, eighteen hours, twenty three minutes and twelve seconds.
In its debut year, Wild Oats XI won the "treble", where it came first in line honours and in corrected time, and established a new race record. It won the "treble" once more in 2012. Wild Oats XI came into controversy in 2017, due to a tacking manoeuvre which brought the yacht close to collision with its main competitor Comanche. The supermaxi was subsequently found to have breached race rules, its 2017 line honours rescinded.
The supermaxi is the most recent winner of the race in 2018, even after a troublesome start for the yacht - coming to a stop just short of the first buoy in Sydney Harbour. Eventually regaining control of the race Wild Oats XI won line honours for the first time since 2014. The race was not without controversy, competitor Black Jack's owner suggesting that Wild Oats violated race rules in turning off their Automatic Identification System (AIS) thus preventing other boats from being able to locate the yacht. During the committee following the race the criticism was overruled and deemed a conflict of interest. Wild Oats XI retained its title, and despite recent controversies, remains a star of famous Sydney to Hobart Bluewater yacht race.
Wild Oats XI was commissioned by the late Bob Oatley AO, a keen sailor and strong supporter of the sport in Australia. The family has continued to campaign the racing yacht after Bob’s death in 2016. Designed by Reichel/Pugh Yacht Design in San Diego, USA, and built at McConaghy Boats in Australia, the supermaxi features a deep canting keel. Launched in 2005 at McConaghy Boats, Sydney, the 30.5 metre carbon fibre hull returned to its original builder in 2015 for a major overhaul to modernise the ten year old yacht.
To remain competitive the bow was extended and the stern trimmed to effectively position the mast and keel further back in the boat, to reduce the boat’s tendency to nosedive in big seas. This enabled a new sail plan – with larger, lightweight, downwind sails. The current configuration is a leaner, lighter and faster racing yacht.
Wild Oats XI is a very impressive racing machine, where every detail, every gram of weight has a purpose and an impact on performance, including of course the unpainted carbon fibre cabin interior and the composition of its 20 odd crew.SignificanceThis scale model is of considerable historical significance because it represents Wild Oats XI, the most successful yacht in the history of the Sydney to Hobart race. Launched in 2005, Wild Oats XI is the most recent winner of the race and has won line honours a record 9 times, recorded a race record time twice, and won on corrected time on two occasions. In its first race in 2005 it won the "treble", winning in line honours, on corrected time, and set a new race record. It remains a star of famous Sydney to Hobart bluewater yacht race.The model is technologically significant as a depiction of innovation in yacht design. Wild Oats XI was designed by Reichel/Pugh Yacht Design in San Diego USA, and built by McConaghy Boats in Australia. It features a deep canting keel and a 30 metre carbon fibre hull. The model shows these features in addition to modifications made to the yacht in 2015 when it returned to McConaghy Boats. These amendments involved two metres being cut from the stern in order to extend the bow. In turn, the mast and keel were positioned further aft in the boat, reducing the likelihood of the supermaxi nosediving in large seas. This enabled a new sail plan – with larger, lightweight, downwind sails, and presented Wild Oats XI as an innovator in offshore racing. Small structural amendments are made to the boat on a yearly basis, where it now sits at a length of 30.84 metres long.
As a gift from the Oatley family the model is significant in marking the Oatley's ongoing commitment to the sport of sailing.
It is also significant as a contemporary representation of the practice of model making, and progressive approaches to traditional half block model construction. Such approaches may include 3D printing and foam materials, and ongoing research is being done in the area.
