Sail plan for a 72' cutter
Designer
Ben Lexcen
(1936 - 1988)
Datec 1970
Object numberANMS1543[043]
NamePlan
MediumPaper
Dimensions790 x 770
Copyright© Ben Lexcen
ClassificationsMaps, charts and plans
Credit LineAustralian National Maritime Museum Collection purchased with USA Bicentennial Gift funds
DescriptionProposal design drawing by Ben Lexcen (formally Bob Miller) made for Mr R.S Langtry in about 1972, for a 72-foot double-ended cutter.
HistoryThe design of the 72-foot double-ended cutter is an incomplete proposal design drawing, so likely made during the initial stages of the project. At the time, the double-ended shape was popular with owners of offshore, long distance cruising yachts. Well-known yachts with this shape at time included SUHAILI owned and sailed single handed around the work by British yachtsman Robin Knox-Johnston.
Other doubled-enders designed and built in Australia included the 35-foot ‘RANI’, winner of the Sydney Hobart and participant many times. Also, the Halvorsen designed FREYA was another well know yacht at the time. Interestingly, Australian yachtsman Tony Fisher hired Bob Miller (later Ben Lexcen) to design the 72-foot double ended yacht HELSAL in 1972. At about the same time, Alan Bond also hired Bob Miller to design his first America Cup challenge yacht SOUTHERN CROSS. Joe Adams was working with Bob Miller on the design of ‘HELSAL’ at the time, so took over the design project. The 73-foot ferro cement built maxi racer HELSAL was launched in April 1973 and later won the Sydney to Hobart race that same year.SignificanceThe sail-plan and rigging details of a 72-foot double-ended sailing yacht, in the early stage of development. It is incomplete, which suggests additional design work was later produced. Producing proposal designs, though time consuming, with no certainty the client will build the yacht, is common practice for a yacht designer. Hence the advantage of having in-house ‘stock designs’ to suite a variety of yachts and sizes.
