 |
|
| space |
|
| space |
From the Australian National Maritime Museum |
|
|
|
| space |
To the Australian National Maritime Museum's page about Taipan's Restoration Appeal: |
|
|
| space |
| Museum appeals for funds to restore Ben Lexcen's brilliant 18-foot Skiff |
|
| space |
| The Australian National Maritime Museum today (Fri, 30 June) launched an appeal for funds to restore a revolutionary 18-foot skiff conceived, built and sailed by design genius Ben Lexcen when he was just 23 years old. |
|
| Lexcen's Taipan , narrow and extremely light weight, made a clear break from the tradition of big wooden 18-foot skiffs that had been evolving for more than 100 years. |
|
| With a crew of three instead of five or more, it blitzed its rivals from the outset in the summer of 1959… influencing the design of all Australian skiffs and racing dinghies from then on. |
|
Ben Lexcen, still known by his original name Bob Miller, was working at the Brisbane boatyard of Norman Wright and Sons at the time. |
| space |
| The extrovert and flamboyant sailor-sailmaker-designer went on to achieve towering international stature as a yacht designer, particularly for his radical wing-keeled Australia II which won The America's Cup in 1983. |
| space |
Interestingly, Taipan has gates (small wings) on its rudder. Venom , Lexcen's next 18-footer, sometimes used a winged centerboard… 20 years before Australia II ! |
| space |
Ben Lexcen (then still known by his original name Bob Miller) helms
Taipan on Moreton Bay, 1959. Photographer unknown, by courtesy of Tom
Cuneo.
|
|
|
|
“Taipan has a very important place in the history of Australian sailing” the Director of the Australian National Maritime Museum, Mary-Louise Williams, said today. |
|
“Its early critics said it wouldn't last a month against its robust opponents… and yet it's still here, in reasonably good shape, ready for restoration so it can go forward to tell its story to future generations.” |
|
| Ms Williams said the National Maritime Museum, a Commonwealth agency, needs supplementary funding for a lot of its restoration work. |
|
| The proposed program will reverse modifications made to Taipan by a succession of owner-sailors prior to its being donated to the museum in 1986 and replicate the original hollow timber spars, rudder, centre board, rigging and Dacron sails. |
|
|
The overall project, including historical research and conservation work, will cost an estimated $100,000. |
space |
The initiative is timely, Ms Williams said,
|
John Bertrand, Carl Ryves and Taipan at the Australian National Maritime Museum's launch of an appeal for funds to restore Lexcen's revolutionary 18-foot sailing skiff.
|
|
|
| as people who knew Ben Lexcen and worked and sailed with him are still able to assist the research and help in other ways. |
|
| Anyone interested in making a donation towards the restoration of Taipan should contact Inger Sheil at the Australian National Maritime Museum on (02) 9298 3620. |
|
| space |
|
| Media information, Bill Richards (02) 9298 3645; 0418 403 472. |
|
| space
|
|
|
|
space |
|
|
|
| space |
| space |
 |
| space |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
space
|
| |
