Sloop General Arrangement

Designer Ben Lexcen (1936 - 1988)

Object numberANMS1543[281]

NamePlan

MediumPencil on tracing paper

Dimensions790 x 1075

ClassificationsMaps, charts and plans

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

Terms

DescriptionGeneral arrangement for an unidentified sloop.HistoryIn 1952, at the age of just 16, Ben Lexcen, (formally Bob Miller) designed his first sailing boat THE COMET with his friend William Bennett and soon began to make a name for himself at local sailing competitions. In 1960 he entered his boat TAIPAN in the 18-Footer World Championship, later winning the World Championship in 1961 with his next boat ‘VENOM’. In 1962, together with his friend Craig Whitworth, he set up a sail making business in Sydney while continuing to design boats and racing yachts. Following the success of ‘MERCEDES III’ in 1966 and ‘VOLANTE’ designed in 1967/1968, he designed ‘APOLLO’ for Alan Bond in 1969 and other notable yachts. In 1972 Ben Lexcen (formally Bob Miller) designed the 40-foot racing yacht ‘RAMPAGE for Peter Packer and his family of Western Australia. Designed as an almost sister ship to CEIL II she was built in wood, triple diagonal cold-moulded, at Freemantle in 1973 the yacht entered the 1973 Sydney Hobart race. CEIL III won with RAMPAGE coming third. RAMPAGE was entered and won her division in the 1973, 1974, 1975, and the 1976 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Races. Peter Packer skippered ‘RAMPAGE’ to victory in the 1975 Sydney Hobart when the Amicia maxi ‘KIALOA’ won line honours. In 1983 Ben Lexcen designed a light weight 40-foot sloop called the LEXCEN 40. This was intended to be a ‘stock design’ the same as the earlier ‘Miller & Whitworth IOR 45’. Several design concepts were made of the ‘Lexcen 40’ showing different deck and interior layouts, including a low, wedge-shape raised coach roof with windows. Some records indicate a Ben Lexcen designed a 40 for yacht in 1983 called RAMPAGE for Peter Brook based on this design. SignificanceThe addition of a windscreen, at and around the companionway, is an unusual feature on a Ben Lexcen designed sailing yacht. The hull shape and rudder, indicates a fast-racing yacht, with modern rudder and wheel steering, so the windscreen is likely added at the client’s request.