Please select your home edition
Edition
Feb-Nov23 Leaderboard Groco2

Tour legendary maxi yacht Wild Oats XI this Australia Day weekend at the National Maritime Museum

by Jude Timms 20 Jan 2018 06:29 UTC 26-28 January 2018
WILD OATS XI, Sail n: AUS10001, Bow n: XI, Owner: The Oatley Family, Country: NSW, Division: IRC & ORCi, Design: Reichel Pugh 100 © Carlo Borlenghi

The Australia National Maritime Museum is delighted to be offering visitors the opportunity to climb on board legendary maxi yacht Wild Oats XI as it visits the museum this Australia Day weekend. From 26 – 28 January visitors can discover what life on a high-seas racer is like by speaking to representatives of Wild Oats XI who will be conducting tours of the vessel.

Launched in December 2005, Wild Oats XI is the most successful competitor in the 73-year history of the Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race. Its record stands at eight line honours, two race record times and two wins on corrected time.

The yacht was commissioned by the late Bob Oatley AO, a keen sailor and strong supporter of the sport in Australia. Designed by Reichel/Pugh Yacht Design in San Diego, it features a deep canting keel. The 12-tonne lead bulb keel moves from side to side, controlled by a huge hydraulic ram. This innovation increases the yacht's stability without needing extra weight, giving it an exceptional power to weight advantage over a conventional keel design.

Wild Oats XI is the latest visitor under the museum's popular visiting vessel program. Guided tours will run from 10am – 12pm and 1 – 4pm. Numbers will be limited to 10 people on board at a time so queues may be likely. For safety Wild Oats XI will only be open to visitors 10 years old and above.

Entry is included with the museum's Big Ticket which allows unlimited access to everything the museum has open on the day including the magnificent HMB Endeavour replica, RAN Destroyer Vampire and interactive family exhibition Arctic Voices. Tickets are $32 adults, $20 child/concession or $79 families (2 adults + 3 children).

The Australian National Maritime Museum, in Darling Harbour, is open from 9.30am to 6pm daily in the summer period. All enquiries (02) 9298 3777 or visit www.anmm.gov.au/wildoats.

Related Articles

Explore The Remarkable Cure 55
Join Cure Marine co-founder Dave Biggar for an exclusive walkthrough Since her launch, the Cure 55 has been turning heads and earning widespread praise. Sailors have been impressed by her balanced feel, sharp responsiveness, and exhilarating performance - reaching over 21 knots SOG in just 17 knots of breeze. Posted on 3 May
Hyde Sails Job Vacancies
Yacht Sales Representative and Sales & Marketing Assistant required Hyde Sails are pleased to be hiring for two positions based in our Hamble Sales Office. Established in 1964, Hyde Sails manufacture around 40,000 sails per year from our modern factory in the far east. Posted on 2 May
Oyster Yachts announces the Oyster 805
A superyacht inspired bluewater cruiser Oyster Yachts has announced the latest addition to their fleet, the Oyster 805. Posted on 2 May
Meet the Grand Soleil Blue
The ultimate weekender with a sustainable build Grand Soleil Yachts has taken its first step on a new path with the launch of its first true weekender, the Grand Soleil Blue. Posted on 30 Apr
OOC delivers $133 billion for ocean action
Urgent challenges remain to meet global deadlines in a pivotal year for the ocean The Our Ocean Conference (OOC) has mobilized $133 billion in funding for ocean action over the past decade, according to a new report launched today by World Resources Institute (WRI) to mark the conference's 10th anniversary. Posted on 29 Apr
Ella Hibbert starts Solo Arctic Circumnavigation
A record-breaking voyage to spotlight a vanishing Arctic British sailor embarks on a record-breaking voyage to spotlight a vanishing Arctic and spark global climate action. Posted on 29 Apr
MMAG calls for vigilance and reporting
Seasonal alert and call to action survey for all mariners and offshore sailors As spring awakens in the Northern Hemisphere, a powerful migration is under way - not just of boats returning north from winter sailing grounds in the Caribbean, but of whales traveling thousands of miles. Posted on 29 Apr
A look inside the Spirit Yachts yard
A close look at what makes their yachts unique Traditional skills in boatbuilding could be regarded as a lost art from a bygone era. In the world of fibreglass and carbon, the joinery and laminating techniques of wood ribs and cedar strips are a thing of the past. Posted on 28 Apr
85th Anniversary of Operation Dynamo drawing near
Preparations are progressing well for the sailing from Ramsgate to Dunkirk The date for the Association of Dunkirk Little Ships (ADLS) fleet sailing from Ramsgate to Dunkirk is drawing ever nearer, and preparations are progressing well for this, the Dynamo 85 return. Posted on 27 Apr
Grand Soleil Blue: Finally in the water
Designed for those who want to enjoy sailing in total independence The official video of the Grand Soleil BLUE is now online: a yacht that redefines the concept of contemporary sailing: free, spontaneous, elegant, and sustainable. Posted on 26 Apr
Hyde Sails 2024 - One DesignCyclops Marine 2023 November - FOOTERMarine Products Direct 2023 - Calypso FOOTER