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Image Not Available for Yacht lines plan
Yacht lines plan
Image Not Available for Yacht lines plan

Yacht lines plan

Designer (1936 - 1988)
Date1936-1988
Object numberANMS1543[378]
NamePlan
MediumPencil on tracing paper
DimensionsOverall: 1065 x 785
Copyright© Ben Lexcen
ClassificationsMaps, charts and plans
Credit LineAustralian National Maritime Museum Collection purchased with USA Bicentennial Gift funds
DescriptionA Ben Lexcen preliminary lines plan, believed to be for a 17.5-meter (57.41-feet) light displacement yacht from 1985. HistoryRecords indicate that during August 1985, the Ben Lexcen Design Office were working on a proposal design for a 17.5 metre light displacement sloop for Mr. Denis O’Neil. This work was carried out by Ben Lexcen and his colleague Peter Lowe, and the proposed yacht was 17.5 meter overall, with a beam of 4.8-metres (17.7-feet) and a draft of 2.3-metre (7.5-feet). Denis O’Neil was a friend and sailing companion of Ben Lexcen for many years, and won the 1968 Sydney Hobart Yacht Race with his 43-foot wooden yacht ‘KOOMOOLOO’. The young Ben Lexcen (then Bob Miller) had designed the yacht and sailed as part of the eight-man crew. They later sailed together in the 1972 Soling World Championship in Germany, with Ben Lexcen (then Bob Miller) at the helm. Denis O’Neil was also part of the Australian Soling winning team in 1975, and crew in the Australian boat at the 1976 Olympics, coming 7th. No information is available if Denis O’Neil had this yacht built, but there were no yachts of this size, designed by Ben Lexcen in the 1985, 1986 or 1987 Sydney to Hobart races. Denis O’Neil certainly owned, and successfully raced, many well-known yachts, including the 41-foot BONDI TRAM, built in 1982 and took part in the 1983 Australian Admiral's Cup trials.SignificanceThe work is an interesting insight into the way Ben Lexcen planned and laid out a new design drawing, and the process he used based on his knowledge and experience. Though still in its preliminary stages, it is clear he already had a plan for the underwater shape, the ballast keel as well as the spade rudder and location of the mast.