Winged Keel
The Winged Keel Was A Revolutionary Design
Ben Lexcen was an Australian yacht designer who longed to build a a world beating 12 meter racing yacht to win the America’s Cup with. In the 1980s he spent several months in Holland at a ship testing laboratory where he was experimenting with a new idea; a keel with wings that flew though the water. Lexcen found that yachts could turn much faster and sail a little closer to the wind with his winged keel. It was built into his new yacht ‘Australia II’ and kept a very closely guarded secret.
In 1983 Australia II became the first non-American boat in 132 years to win the America’s Cup Race and the Lexcen design is said to have played a major part in this victory.
