Designed by Arthur Robb in 1950 the first Lion was constructed in England and performed very well against her contemporaries in the 1950 Round the Island Race. They became known for holding their own in top class races with one yacht, ‘Siandra’, winning the Sydney-Hobart race twice. According to Bristows Book of Yachts 140 had been constructed by 1964.
Originally designed as a fractional sloop with diamond spreaders supporting the upper mast. Two different sloop versions were available, one with a shallower draught at 4’8″, whilst the deeper version measured 5’6″.
Yawl rigged versions were also available.
Their long overhangs and graceful sheerline along with the unique anchor windlass mounted on the starboard side of the coachroof, in a box which also forms a dorade ventilator, make the yacht easily identifiable.
