General arrangement plan for AUSTRALIA
Designer
Ben Lexcen
(1936 - 1988)
Designer
Johan Valentijn
(Dutch, born 1948)
Object numberANMS1543[237]
NamePlan
MediumPaper
Dimensions215 x 275
Copyright© Ben Lexcen
ClassificationsMaps, charts and plans
Credit LineAustralian National Maritime Museum Collection purchased with USA Bicentennial Gift funds
DescriptionThe deck plan and deck gear layout of the 12 metre racing yacht AUSTRALIA, Ben Lexcen’s (then Bob Miller) second design under the 12 metre International Rule. Drawn with the ‘Miller & Valentijn’ logo but with Ben Lexcen’s name hand written, the drawing is an early design layout which was later changed.
This design work has an air of mystery, as the drawing title states AUSTRALIA, but does not resemble the yacht which was actually built and sailed in the 1977 and 1980 races. As records indicate lexcen changed his name from Bob Miller to Ben Lexcen in 1977, the drawing must have been used by him after that date. HistoryThe 12 metre yacht AUSTRALIA, designed by Ben Lexcen (then Bob Miller) and Johan Valentijn in 1976, took part in the 1977 and 1980 America Cup races at Newport Rhode Island, in the US. Lexcen had formed a partnership with experienced Dutch naval architect in early 1976 and maintained an office in New York. This drawing, titled ‘AUSTRALIA’, shows hand written dimensions for the yacht, a company etiquette and logo: ‘Miller & Valentijn’, 39 - 05 48th Avenue, Sunnyside, New York, N.Y. 11104. The drawing must have been made earlier, or possibly used as a study plan for another project, for despite the ‘Miller & Valentijn’ logo, Lexcen has hand written his new name on the drawing. Records indicate Bob Miller changed his name by deed poll in 1977 to Ben Lexcen.
During the design of AUSTRALIA (KA-5), Lexcen and Valentijn, spent seven months in 1976 testing 1/9th. scale models of the yacht at the University of Delft test tank in the Netherlands. The design of AUSTRALIA, including the deck layout, was later changed. By 1977 12 metre yachts all fitted duel steering wheels, and started to have a single, large open crew cockpit, rather than the four small, as shown in the drawing. The two main sheet winches were moved outboard, controlled by connected ‘tandem coffee grinder’ handles and a third large winch with similar control, fitted to a central plinth to control the main sail sheet. The sail area remained the same, but the overall weight of the yacht was reduced from 26.3 Ton to 24.85 by 1980 and the waterline length also changed. Perhaps an attempt to reduce the 12 metre rule but almost certainly to make the yacht faster.
AUSTRALIA took part in the 1980 Americas Cup race, losing four races to one. Thanks to the ‘Australian 12m Historic Trust’ AUSTRALIA is fully restored and still sailing in Sydney, Australia.SignificanceThis design work has an air of mystery, as the drawing title states AUSTRALIA, but does not resemble the yacht which was actually built and sailed in the 1977 and 1980 races. As records indicate Lexcen changed his name from Bob Miller to Ben Lexcen in 1977, the drawing must have been used by him after that date. 
