Lines Plan
Designer
Ben Lexcen
(1936 - 1988)
Object numberANMS1543[147]
NamePlan
MediumPaper
Dimensions685 x 1670
Copyright© Ben Lexcen
ClassificationsMaps, charts and plans
Credit LineAustralian National Maritime Museum Collection purchased with USA Bicentennial Gift funds
DescriptionA rare and exceptional ‘working drawing’ of the original ‘lines plan’ for the 12-metre America’s Cup challenge boat SOUTHERN CROSS, designed by Ben Lexcen for Alan Bond in 1974.HistoryFollowing the success racing his yachts APOLLO and later APOLLO II, Alan Bond commissioned their designer Ben Lexcen (then Bob Miller), to design an International 12m yacht to challenge the Americas Cup in 1974.
SOUTHERN CROSS, sail number KA-4, was built by Halvorsen, Morson & Gowland boatyard, Sydney in 1974. Designed by Ben Lexcen according to the International Third Rule- America’s Cup, it was the first America’s Cup yacht to be built in aluminium. Captained and helmed by James Hardy, the Australian challenge for the America’s Cup took place at Newport, Rhode Island in September 1974. The Australian crew for the 1974 Americas Cup challenge consisted of James Hardy skipper, Hugh Treharne, Ron Packer, Dick Sergeant, John Longley, Les Valmadre, Rob Sterling, Lee Killingworth, Norm Hyett, John Shaw, and John Bertrand.
The 1974 challenge 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 ‘Lines Plan’ is the first and most important design drawing the naval architect or designer makes in the design process. It is when the designer brings together all his knowledge and experience to produce the best possible shape of the hull for its intended use. It is a combination of engineering, experience and passion, in short, an art form. The information the naval architect or designer puts into the lines plan is his or her own and like any artist they are often reluctant to share this information. The information on the lines plan of a competitive racing yacht is even more valuable as the designer will not want any unauthorised people to see it and certainly not other designers. The drawing has been deliberately damaged, with the corner etiquette removed, in order to invalidate the work by removing the yachts name, naval architect, company and date. It is clearly the work of Ben Lexcen for the design of his first International 12-metre yacht. It is an exceptional work of great significance, providing a detailed view of the designer’s plans, ideas and thoughts at the time while working to the 12m-metre rules of the time.
