Keel modifications for APOLLO II
Designer
Ben Lexcen
(1936 - 1988)
Datec 1970
Object numberANMS1543[034]
NamePlan
MediumPaper
Dimensions640 x 750
Copyright© Ben Lexcen
ClassificationsMaps, charts and plans
Credit LineAustralian National Maritime Museum Collection purchased with USA Bicentennial Gift funds
DescriptionBen Lexcen, hand drawn ballast keel lines-plan, for a proposed modification to the lead ballast keel on the 45-foot IOR yacht APOLLO II in October 1978.
HistoryIn 1972, Ben Lexcen (then Bob Miller) was 36-years old and one of the world’s top offshore racing yacht designers. Australian entrepreneur Alan Bond, commissioned him to design the 45-foot IOR yacht. APOLLO II to replace APOLLO which had been sold to Jack Rooklyn. At the time Ben Lexcen (then Bob Miller) was still in ‘Miller & Whitworth’ partnership and two yachts were designed using the same hull lines and sail plan. The first to be built was GINKGO, the cold moulded wooden yacht made by ‘Halvorsen, Morson & Gowland Pty Ltd. for Garry Bogard. APOLLO II was built of aluminium also by ‘Halvorsen, Morson & Gowland Pty Ltd. and launched in 1972. With sail number R111, the yacht took part in the 1972 Sydney Hobart race coming in 4th behind the wooden-built sister ship GINKGO. It also took part in the 1973 Admirals Cup races in UK together with GINKGO. APOLLO II took part in many offshore yacht races, including most of the Sydney to Hobart races from 1972 to at least 1994.
The owners of APOLLO II at the time of this drawing (October 1978) were R. & I. Thurston, who raced the yacht in several Sydney to Hobart Races from 1975 to 1980 as well as other offshore yacht races. Shortly after the keel modification were made in late 1978, APOLLO II came 4th. in the 1979, 800-mile ‘Golden Fleece Great Circle Race’. This offshore yacht race starts off Portsea, Victoria and circumnavigates Tasmania.
In 1980 APOLLO II was sold and again raced successfully by A.J. Becher in the 1980, 81’ and 82’ Syndney to Hobart races. In the 1994 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, 371 yachts participated, the largest number ever to enter the race. APOLLO II then painted bright red, took part in the race, owned by David and Penny Leach who had only bought the boat only a week before the race.
Ben Lexcen (Bob Miller) designed two smaller versions of this yacht: CEIL III and RAMPAGE, which won handicap honours in the Sydney to Hobart race. The 45-foot APOLLO II continued to sail as a private cruising yacht up to about 1998 but no information is presently available of location and if she is still afloat.SignificanceAt the time Ben Lexcen made this design work, the 45-foot IOR yacht APOLLO II was six years old, and other more competitive yachts were being designed and built. It is reasonable to assume, the owners of APOLLO II at the time this drawing was made, R. & I. Thurston, asked Ben Lexcen to look for design improvements and modifications in order to make the yacht more competitive. 
