New Halvorsen Cruiser built in Australia

After more than 20 years absense in building boats in Australia Halvorsens are back.

From the drawing board of Harvey Halvorsen comes the Gourmet Cruiser 38. She has just enough tumblehome aft and a top speed of 25+ knots with her standard Yanmar diesel. There are several interior options available and a rainbow of hull colours to choose from.

The first boat will be completing at the end of this year being delivered to a customer in Brisbane.

Halvorsen in Sydney 1943

Halvorsens boat building facility located at Ryde on Sydneys Parramatta River was considered to be the largest fully undercover factory of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere during the 1940's, 50's and 60's.

Between this yard and the original sites some 1200 boats of all sizes and uses were built between 1925 and 1980.

Harold Halvorsen. Born 1910 - Died 2000

It is with profound sadness that we announce the sudden and unexpected passing of Mr Harold Halvorsen who celebrated his 90th birthday in April this year.

Mr Harold passed away peacefully at home on Monday the 13th of November 2000.

Pop will be deeply missed by his family and leaves 2 children, 4 grand children and 5 great grand children behind.

130 years of boat building and designing spanning 5 generations and 5 continents, and the tradition continues........

HALVORSEN'S NEW MARINA FACILITY IN SYDNEY UNDER CONSTRUCTION.

It has taken a number of years but approval for the new marina was granted by the National Parks last year and the first phase has already been completed.

Todate we can accommodate more than 20 boats in world class marina berths with plans in the works for a further 180.

Other facilities include a full service fuel dock with future plans to develop a new hard stand with travel lift and revamp the existing office facilities.

You can still hire an old Halvo 26 OR 36 or an outboard powered run-about so please contact our office at 61-2-9457-9011 for more information.

The attached photo shows the original boat shed prior to the start of the initial marina upgrade. Photo taken on Sunday the 9th April 2000.



CAVALCADE OF TIMBER HALVORSEN'S.

On Sunday the 9th of April 2000 a boat building legend celebrated his 90th birthday in style. The Halvorsen club with Mr. Tony Mackay at the helm organised an historic event bringing together perhaps the single largest gathering of one manufacturers boats in Australia and possibly the world to honour their club patron and founder of Lars Halvorsen Sons Pty. Ltd. Mr. Harold Halvorsen. It also marked 75 years of boat building in Australia for the Halvorsen Family originally under the directorship of Harolds father Lars who died prematurely in 1936 at the age of 49.

Mr. Harold celebrated this special day as the guest of honour onboard Silver Cloud II a 65' timber Halvorsen designed by Harold's son Harvey and built by Lars Halvorsen Sons P/L in 1968.

The right Honourable Mr. Gordon Samuels Governor of N.S.W. also attended this auspicious occasion lending a vice Regal air to the days events.

94 old timber Halvorsens ranging in size from 21 feet up to "Emma" a 90 footer built in 1976 and the last big boat built at Halvorsens yard in Australia,lined up on Sydney's Hawksbury River to honour a man of remarkable skill and ability who has dedicated his life to the design and building of boats.

Leading the fleet was the 26' Norwegian racing yacht built by Lars and launched in 1927 as a gift to his teenage son Harold because of his passion for sailing. "Maud" is based in South Australia and was specially shipped over for the Cavalcade by her owner of 31 years Mr. Smith.

A fabulous cross section of "old Halvo's" starting from the 21 footers, thru 26' and 36 charter boats, then the 32' and 40' Viking class and finally up to the 50 foot+ post WWII bridge deck cruisers proceeded to motor past Silver Cloud II where with great pride Harold took the Salute of the many owners who's prized possessions gleamed and sparkled under the noonday sun.

The Australian Government also announced in June its decision to award Mr. Harold Halvorsen with the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) which by definition recognizes Australians for their outstanding achievements and contributions in their particular field of endeavour and for service worthy of particular recognition. This award was given in part for his contributions during WWII where he designed and built service craft for the Australian Army / Air force plus US Army & Dutch Government including patrol boats, seaplane tenders, torpedo recovery vessels and supply craft. In total 237 vessels were built including 16 of the English designed 112 foot Fairmiles all being constructed at the Halvorsen factory at Ryde in N.S.W.

Old Halvo's are a collectors item these days with Media personalities, Australian Prime Ministers and World Class Yachtsmen being just a few of their proud owners. They are instantly recognised wherever they maybe cruising.

The Halvorsen family. 130 years and 5 generations and the tradition continues ....