Rudder and stock plan for international 5.5 meter yacht

Designer Ben Lexcen (1936 - 1988)

Datec 1980

Object numberANMS1543[061]

NamePlan

Mediumpencil on graphed tracing paper

Dimensions900 x 1135

ClassificationsMaps, charts and plans

Credit LineAustralian National Maritime Museum Collection purchased with USA Bicentennial Gift funds

Terms

DescriptionBen Lexcen design for a 5.5m International rudder and stock, produced for Frank Tollhurst in February 1983. HistoryThe International 5.5 metre is a competitive racing keel boat, originally designed by well-known yacht designer and builder, Charles Nicholson in 1937. He based his design on the 6mR, and suggested a change in the rating rules, at the time. He then built a prototype 5.5mR which he called, THE DEB (K-1). The first boats were built in 1949, when they were adopted as a World Sailing Class. Through the years some of the world’s most famous sailors have sailed in, and won 5.5 Metre World titles and the Gold Cup. They include Ted Turner of the US, and King Harald of Norway, with whom Frank Tollhurst sailed with many times. Frank Tollhurst was an Australian farmer and world champion sailor. He sailed the ‘Etchell 22 class, winning many events, but is most well-known for his International 5.5 metre racing. He owned thirteen of these boats, starting with ‘HUNEY’ in 1965 and SOUTHERN CROSS in 1966, built in 1961 for George Booth. A number of 5.5mR yachts named SOUTHERN CROSS were built from various designers, including ‘Sparkman and Stephens and Luders. He raced KINGS CROSS successfully, which he owned from 1968 to 1970 and sailed in the 1968 Olympics. This was followed by ‘ARUNGA’ which he raced from 1972 to 1976. During 1981 Frank Tollhurst and Ben Lexcen met and discussed what they felt were the best bow and stern shapes for a 5.5mR. They agreed the bow of SOUTHERN CROSS II was better than SOUTHERN CROSS IV, but the stern of ‘SOUTHERN CROSS IV’, better than ‘SOUTHERN CROSS II’. As Ben Lexcen was busy at the time designing the 12mR challenge yachts, ASTRALIA II and CHALLENGE 12, he asked Warren Muir to look at the design project. The result was Warren Muir making a new design, using both ends, but his own centre section. He produced all the design work, including the construction drawing for the new boat which became ‘ARUNGA V’. As Ben and him had discussed the project, Frank Tollhurst asked Warren to include Ben Lexcen’s name on the final drawings. Warren Muir was a much-respected yacht designer who designed and built many winning International 5.5mR bats in Australia and later in the USA where he settled. Ben Lexcen went on to design Frank Tollhurst’s next boat, the International 5.5mR ‘RUNGA VIII in 1983. It was built by Australian boat builder Keith Revell in cold moulded wood. In 1989 Frank Tollhurst won the bronze medal in the World Championships in his 5.5mR SOUTHERN CROSS V. This boat is registered as designed by Warren Muir and Ben Lexcen. It was built in 1989 of glass reinforced plastic (GRP) in the USA, by Harry Melges, at the ‘Melges Boat Works’, in Zenda, Wisconsin With a typical overall length of about 9.5 metres (31-feet), they are often transported to sailing events by road trailer. The International 5.5mR class has now been divided into three divisions: Modern, Evolution and Classis. About 800 boats of this class have been built around the world, mostly as a one-off design and build. Many owners re-name their boat, which may be new, but can also be bought from other owners. SignificanceThe drawing by Ben Lexcen of a 5.5m International rudder and stock for Frank Tollhurst was made in February 1983, the same year which his other yacht, The Australian America’s Cup challenger AUSTRALIA II was in the final stages of preparation, prior to be shipping to the USA. The rudder for the 5.5mR has a very similar shape to that he designed for the 12mR AUSTRALIA II which would race, and win the cup for Australia, seven month later in September.