Lines plan for 5.5 meter yacht

Designer Ben Lexcen (1936 - 1988)

Datec 1975

Object numberANMS1543[065]

NamePlan

MediumPencil on drafting film

Dimensions760 x 1250

ClassificationsMaps, charts and plans

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

Terms

Description The Ben Lexcen’s Lines Plan’ for an International 5.5mR yacht for Australian world champion sailor Frank Tolhurst HistoryThe International 5.5 metre is a competitive racing keel boat, sailed in many countries around the world. The boat was originally designed by renown yacht designer and builder, Charles Nicholson in 1937. He based his design on the 6mR, while suggesting a change in the rating rules, at the time. He then built a prototype International 5.5mR which he called, THE DEB (K-1) and test sailed on the Solent. Other 5.5mR 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 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 Tolhurst sailed with many times. Frank Tolhurst was an Australian farmer and world champion sailor. He previously sailed the Etchell 22 class, winning numerous 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’, which he owned. He raced the 5.5mR 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 Tolhurst 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, AUSTRALIA II and CHALLENGE 12, he asked Warren Muir to look at the design project. The result was Warren Muir making a new 5.5mR design, using both ends, but his own centre section. He produced all the design work, including the construction drawings for the new boat, which became ‘ARUNGA V’. As Ben and him had discussed the project, Frank Tolhurst 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 boats in Australia and later in the USA where he settled. Ben Lexcen is credited with designing twenty-seven International 5.5-metre boats, of which nine were for Australian owners. He designed Frank Tolhurst’s International 5.5mR ‘ARUNGA VIII’ in 1983, built of cold mould wood by Australian boat builder Keith Revell. The inverted ballast keel and bolting arrangement was used on at least two of Ben Lexcen’s 5.5mR designs. One for Frank Tolhurst on ARUNGA VIII and another for American P.A Cassel (or Al Cassel) who’s 5.5mR WARRIOR IV was built in June 1983. 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 Classic. 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 Ben Lexcen design for a new International 5.5mR yacht for Frank Tolhurst is almost certainly influenced by his work on AUSTRALIA II his winning Americas Cup yacht. The shape of the ballast keel and rudder are very similar, and as they were both close friends and racing winning sailors, they would have discussed any new idea or plan to build a fast 5.5mR.