45' I.O.R. Boat Sail Plan, Miller&Whitworth Pty Ltd
Designer
Ben Lexcen
(1936 - 1988)
Object numberANMS1543[139]
NamePlan
Mediumink on drafting film
Dimensions760 x 575
Copyright© Ben Lexcen
ClassificationsMaps, charts and plans
Credit LineAustralian National Maritime Museum Collection purchased with USA Bicentennial Gift funds
DescriptionA detailed sail-plan, with shapes and sizes for five sails for the Miller & Whitworth 45’ IOR yacht. Designed by Ben Lexcen (then Bob Miller) the design work, on draughting paper with ink, has been used to calculate the ‘centre of effort’ of all the sails and place the information on the designed waterline (DWL) where it will be used, together with the underwater centre of lateral plain, to balance the yacht under sail. HistoryThe design work of the 45-foot IOR yacht GINKO for Gary Bogard may well have started in late 1971, as a good deal of design work needs to be completed before the actual build of the yacht can commence. The yacht was built in cold-moulded wood by ‘Lars Halvorsen & Sons Pty. Ltd’. and launched in July 1972 which at the same time her sister yacht APOLLO II was under construction in aluminum at the same boatyard.
The sail-plan drawing and calculations would be needed early in the design process in order to calculate the balance of the yacht. The sail-plan may well be changed and adjusted to arrive at an ‘As Built’ design which could be used over and over again. In any event, the sail-maker, mast maker and rigging supplier, will all need detailed information. Bob Miller (later Ben Lexcen) and Craig Whitworth, having sailed and raced successfully together for a number of years, set up ‘Miller & Whitworth Pty Ltd’, sail loft in Sydney during 1962. This company produced the sails for the 45’ IOR boats such as GINKGO, APOLLO II, CEIL III and RAMPAGE and numerous other well-known yachts. SignificanceAn interesting insight into the design process of Ben Lexcen and his development of the sail shapes and sizes to arrive at a well-balanced, easily steered and fast racing yacht.The design work is dated 15th August 1972, a month after GINKGO was launched and about the same time Alan Bond's aluminum yacht APOLLO II was built, so the sail-plan is for these two yachts.
