Alan Payne

Alan Newbury Payne (1921-1995) was Australia's most celebrated naval architect and America's Cup designer. Born in London and moving to Australia in 1929, Payne became Sydney Technical College's first naval architecture graduate in 1945. His designs dominated the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race with victories by Nocturne (1952 line honours), Solo (1956, 1962 handicap wins; 1958, 1959 line honours), and Cherana (1959 handicap). Payne designed three America's Cup challengers: Gretel (1962), which dramatically passed the defender Weatherly in race two, Gretel II (1970), and Advance (1983). His trademark deep keels with enclosed lead ballast and classic proportioned styling made his boats instantly recognizable. Beyond yachts, Payne designed the First Fleet catamaran ferry for Sydney Harbour and engineered the Parliament House flagstaff system in Canberra. Awarded Member of the Order of Australia in 1993 and inducted into the America's Cup Hall of Fame in 2005, Payne left a legacy of innovative designs that combined beauty with exceptional performance.