GINKGO general arrangement plan
Designer
Ben Lexcen
(1936 - 1988)
Datec 1970
Object numberANMS1543[002]
NamePlan
MediumPaper
Dimensions555 x 763
Copyright© Ben Lexcen
ClassificationsMaps, charts and plans
Credit LineAustralian National Maritime Museum Collection purchased with USA Bicentennial Gift funds
DescriptionUntitled and undated hand drawing of four perspectives of the Ben Lexcen designed 45’ IOR yacht GINKGO from 1972.
General arrangement drawing consists of a hull side view with basic accommodation, accommodation plan view, deck and fitting plan view and a sail plan showing sail number 252.
HistoryLaunched in 1972 GINKGO enjoyed a successful racing career in Australia and in the British Admirals Cup in 1973. During the Montague Island race of September 29th 1972, which started from The Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club, GINKGO soon took the lead over the 38 other racing yachts in the 320-mile offshore race. Gary Bogard in GINKGO won line honours and overall winner over Rick Dowling on QUEEQUEG and Syd Fischer on RAGAMUFFIN.
GINKGO was later sold and renamed GUIA III. The yacht , under Italian ownership and captained by experienced ocean racer Giorgio Falck, was hit and sunk by killer whales in 1976 600 miles of the Cape Verde Island. The crew of six were later rescued. Interestingly, with the loss of GUIA III, Georgio Falk commissioned Bob Miller to design an identical yacht. This proved to be Design 30, a 45’ IOR racing yacht by Miller & Valentijn.
The hull shape and overall design of GINKGO is a good example of Ben Lexcen’s style and knowledge. It indicates his background designing, building and sailing dinghies, making sails and the use of hull shape and light weight construction to produce a winning fast yacht. One of his earlier designs in 1966, MERCEDES III, was the first ocean racing yacht he designed. It was part of Australia’s winning team of three yachts in the 1967 Admiral’s Cup series in England. This was Australia's first victory in the premier international ocean racing series of the period, and the highest placed yacht overall in the series. SignificanceThis design work of the IOR yacht GINKGO has no date, author, scale or other details, so of particular interest as it is an early part, of a ‘design in progress’ and likely discussed and planned with the yacht’s owner Gary Bogard, before finalising and going on to produce construction drawings. By this time, 1972, Ben Lexcen had established himself as one of the top racing yacht designers in Australia.
