Lines Plan
Designer
Ben Lexcen
(1936 - 1988)
Object numberANMS1543[146]
NamePlan
MediumPaper
Dimensions745 x 410
Copyright© Ben Lexcen
ClassificationsMaps, charts and plans
Credit LineAustralian National Maritime Museum Collection purchased with USA Bicentennial Gift funds
DescriptionA pencil hand drawing by Ben Lexcen showing the body plan for a 12m racing yacht. This may have been used to provide basic information to the builder of a scaled tank test model or an assistant who will draw the lines plan. The drawing has no scale, date, author or sufficient lines to do make a model or carry out hydrostatic calculations. HistoryAlan Bond commissioned Ben Lexcen to design an International 12m yacht to challenge the Americas Cup in 1974. SOUTHERN CROSS, with sail number KA-4, was built by Halvorsen, Morson & Gowland boatyard, Sydney and launched in 1974. The yacht was the first 12-metre racing yacht Ben Lexcen designed and the first Americas Cup yacht to be built in aluminium.
The Australian challenge of 1974 was unsuccessful but Ben Lexcen continued his partnership with Alan Bond and went on to design other 12-metre yachts including AUSTRALIA, sailed in the 1977 and 1980 challenge, and then the world famous AUSTRALIA II in 1983 which finally brought the prestigious America’s Cup home to Australia.
Today, almost 50 years on, the 12-metre America’s Cup challenge yacht SOUTHEN CROSS is still sailing as a charter yacht in the Whitsunday Islands.
SignificanceThe pencil drawing is likely from 1973/74 by Ben Lexcen (formally Bob Miller) made on a scrap of paper, but interestingly, when turned to the right, the hull underwater shape of the yacht’s centre area is visible, with stations 4, 5,6, and 7 drawn in along with the designed waterline. This drawing may have been made early in the design process, when the most efficient hull shape is being developed.
