Built in 1979 according to the International Third Rule- America’s Cup.
HISTORY:
1979-1980: Commissioned by the British Industry 1500 Club, Lionheart was a heavy displacement yacht built for the 1980 America’s Cup. Her most innovative feature was a “bendy” mast that increased her sail area by nearly 7%. She proved to be very fast in a straight line but had a lack of maneuverability when compared to other twelves. She was beaten by France II after a close fight at the 24th America’s Cup Challenger Trials.
1981-1983: Peter de Savary had her altered in 1982 and sailed her as a trail horse against Victory ’82 and Victory ’83. By 1991 she was in the U.S. managed by Intrepid Marketing with her home port in Seekonk, MA.
since 1991: Owned by Harry H. Graves, Lionheart is sailed and raced with the Newport 12 metre fleet.
*Content courtesy: The Twelve Metre Class by Dyer Jones & Luigi Lang
Jump to Twelve Metre Yacht Club, Newport Station Fleet page for Lionheart (K-18)
SPECS:
| Sail Number | K-18 |
| International Rule | THIRD Rule-AC |
| Year Built | 1979 |
| Designer | Ian Howlett |
| Builder | Joyce Brothers Marine |
| First Owner | British Industry 1500 Club |
| First Name | Lionheart |
| First Sail Number | K-18 |
| First Country | Great Britain (GB) |
| Original Homeport | Hamble |
| Other Names | Lionheart of Wessex (1980) - Lionheart (1991) |
| Current Status / Condition | sailing |
| Current Owner | Harry Graves |
| Current Location | Newport, RI (USA) |
| Construction | Aluminum alloy |
| Length Overall | 19.43 m. |
| Length Waterline | 14.94 m. |
| Beam | 3.73 m. |
| Draft | 2.82 m. |
| Sail Area | 170 sq. - 224 sq. - 222 sq. (1980) m. |
| Displacement | 29.1 t. |