Design for 72 foot ocean racer
Designer
Ben Lexcen
(1936 - 1988)
Datec 1970
Object numberANMS1543[049]
NamePlan
Mediumink on drafting film
Dimensions760 x 660 (var)
Copyright© Ben Lexcen
ClassificationsMaps, charts and plans
Credit LineAustralian National Maritime Museum Collection purchased with USA Bicentennial Gift funds
DescriptionA 72-foot maxi-racer, basic sail, mast a hull profile design drawing, from the ‘Miller & Whitworth’ design office in 1975.
History"The small design drawing, showing the hull freeboard, mast and two sails, is based on the 72-foot maxi racer BALLYHOO designed in 1973 and 1974. The yacht was built in marine grade aluminium by the ‘Halvorsen, Morson and Gowland’ boatyard in Sydney, and launched in November 1974. Initially, the yacht did not perform as well as expected, so Ben Lexcen made change to the weights, re-designed the rudder, skeg, and the ballast keel was re-cast. The changes made a significant improvement, making BALLYHOO a fast and highly successful offshore racing yacht in all wind conditions, winning races and line honours in all the major offshore races around the world.
The design work produced by a naval architect, or yacht designer, remains the property of the designer or company, and not the owner of the yacht later built. It is unusual for the owner of the yacht to own the design, so the designer may sell, change or use the work for future clients. The success of the earlier Ben Lexcen (formally Bob Miller) designs, such as the 45-foot IOR yacht GINKGO and the smaller 40-foot CEIL III, prompted Bob Miller (later Ben Lexcen) and Craig Whitworth to sell a series of ‘stock plans’ for a range of sailing yachts. Marketed as the ‘M&W’ range, they advertised yachts from 30-feet to 80-feet, and a number were built in several countries around the world. This included the design work for the 72-foot IOR yacht BALLYHOO. ‘Miller & Whitworth’ advertised extensively, often taking a whole page in some yacht magazines at the time. The 1974 November issue of ‘Offshore’ contained a full-page, offering ‘M&W’ designs for their ½ Ton 32-footer, ¾ Ton 35-footer, 40 foot One-Ton and the 45-foot IOR yacht. This marketing concept appears to have enjoyed some success, as ‘M&W’ designed yachts were built in several countries. At least four ‘Miller & Whitworth’ 35-foot IOR ¾ Ton yachts were built in South Africa. ‘RED AMBER’, ‘SOUNDWAVE’, SCORPIO’ and ‘CLOUD NINE’ were all built in 1974, cold moulded in Mahogany by ‘Mosenthal’s Marine’ in Durban.
During 1974 Ben Lexcen (Bob Miller) left the ‘Miller & Whitworth’ partnership and moved to England, where he set up his own yacht design office. No longer a partner ‘Miller & Whitworth’ yacht designs were franchised and sold worldwide but he received no income for his previous work. The ‘Miller & Whitworth’ sail making and sail design office, continued up to 1979. At that time the premises at 109 Old Pittwater Road, were sold, and the company changed to selling ‘marine accessories’ under the new name ‘Whitworths Nautical World’ which still operates today.
Ben Lexcen went on to become an internationally acclaimed yacht designer, producing work for seven Australian 12mR America Cup challenge yachts including AUSTRALIA II. which won the coveted America Cup for Australia in 1983.
SignificanceThe sail-plan, mast and hull profile for a 72-foot racing yacht, provides very little information but almost certainly part of the ‘Miller & Whitworth’ sales and marketing strategy of the early and mid-1970’s. The company regularly advertised in the yachting and boating magazines.
