Halvorsen Centenary

This summer marks one hundred years since Lars Halvorsen and his family of boatbuilders and sailors immigrated from Norway to Australia, initiating the love of a boating holiday to non-boating Australians.

Our Halvorsen Centenary Flotilla will celebrate this significant milestone with a remarkable display of Halvorsen vessels on our newly restored Heritage Pontoon, highlighting the beauty and exceptional craftsmanship of the Halvorsen family through a myriad of varied vessels. Please note that boarding these vessels is not permitted.

Crafting a legacy on water

This gathering of historic craft celebrates 100 years since Norwegian boatbuilder Lars Halvorsen, his wife Bergithe and their family immigrated to Australia in the summer of 1924–25. 

Lars and Bergithe, Harold (Harald), Carl, Elnor, Bjarne, Magnus, Trygve and Margit either worked as shipwrights or supported the business. With seafaring in their blood, the family also assisted visiting Norwegian seafarers at the Scandinavian Seamen’s Mission.

The family’s legacy is legendary. Between 1925 and 1980 Lars Halvorsen Sons built 1300 vessels, with many more built independently by Bjarne, Magnus and Trygve. After World War II the family built and operated the famous fleet of hire boats from Bobbin Head, introducing boating to many people who lacked easy access to waters. Halvorsen’s boatyard became famous for their sports and bridge deck cruisers, racing yachts, defence vessels and mission craft.

The beauty, exceptional craftsmanship, design and durability of Halvorsen family craft are seen here, with collectors or custodians nationwide preserving and celebrating these iconic vessels.
 

Kalinda

Kalinda is a bridge deck cruiser designed as job number 977, built in 1950 by Lars Halvorsen Sons in Sydney. It was one of four 47-footers built by Halvorsens in that period as a speculative venture for export to the US market. In May 1950 it was taken to north America aboard the cargo ship Kanangoora by Carl Halvorsen and within one week of its arrival was sold on the west coast to a Mr Cormier, who named it Reimroc V (Cormier backwards). It remained in the USA until 2007 with a colourful history of ownership, with many owners living aboard with their families and pets. Early in 2008 its new owners renamed it Kalinda, an Aboriginal woman’s name meaning ‘the sea’ or ‘a lookout’, in keeping with its sister ship Ku-ring-gai. Kalinda is an example of the firm’s high-quality construction and fitout for their luxury craft, which have become their hallmarks. It has now been restored in Australia and is in excellent condition.

Skagerak

The International 5.5 Metre class was created in 1949 to be a premier racing keelboat class. Skagerak was built by Lars Halvorsen Sons in 1972 and launched in 1973. It was designed by Alfred (Bill) Luders and featured a distinctive delta keel.

Skagerak, helmed by Carl, won the Australian 5.5 Metre championships in 1981 and 1991. Since Carl sold the yacht in 2009, it has notched up a further six Australian championships with subsequent owners. Skagerak has two sister boats racing today – Robbie on Sydney Harbour, and Rhapsody, the current Australian champion, on Pittwater.

In 2012, Steve Brajkovich and Bob Stoddard spent seven months doing major restoration on the boat. At Skagerak’s re-launching in early 2013, Carl, then aged 99, gave Skagerak his renewed blessing with a generous splash of champagne. It has since been raced regularly at Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club.
 

Marlaine

Marlaine, a 26-foot Halvorsen cruiser, is a classic example of Halvorsen timber craftsmanship. The cruiser was originally commissioned in 1961 by Mr Salmon, owner of Salmon Brothers Electrical Wholesalers in Sydney. Built with a carvel-planked hull for strength and elegance, Marlaine features a spacious beam of 9 feet 9 inches, ensuring stability, and a 3-foot draught ideal for navigating shallow waterways. Accommodating up to five people, the cruiser also includes a hot and cold-water shower and head (toilet), offering comfort and convenience for extended excursions.

Known for their smooth handling and roomy interiors, Halvorsen 26 models were favourites on Australian waterways following their introduction in 1954. Marlaine briefly joined the Halvorsen hire fleet at Bobbin Head as Xarifa before returning to private ownership. Beginning around 1998, it underwent meticulous restoration and reclaimed its original name. The vessel’s petrol engine was later upgraded to a reliable and efficient Yanmar diesel, a common choice among Halvorsens. Marlaine is currently moored in Sydney Harbour.

Kristina

A 35-foot timber flybridge cruiser, Kristina is rare in the Halvorsen fleet for its design as a day cruiser for Sydney Harbour, and is believed to have been built in 1957 under the name Hawthorne. The cruiser has an unusually large saloon cabin and a large separate galley down from the main cabin, both of which support entertaining large groups. Kristina’s large open rear seating area and the upper flybridge (added later) provide additional spaces for people to take in the view or jump into the harbour for a swim! Kristina can be immediately identified as a Halvorsen motor cruiser thanks to its familial bow and stern profiles and white-painted hull with natural timber cabin walls. 

George 

George was built by Bjarne Halvorsen in Berrys Bay, Sydney, in 1958, based on the AT-45 (Army Tug 45-foot) design. 

Built as a tug with 13 foot 4 inch spotted gum planks and 11 foot 4 inch oregon decks, weighing 40 tonnes loaded, it was originally named MacPete. 

Owned and operated by Mackenzie and Petersen Towage, MacPete towed barges to Homebush and around Port Jackson for Harbour Towage & Lighterage. 

In early 1960s, MacPete was purchased by Weyerhaeuser, an American timber and forestry company, and renamed George H Weyerhaeuser, a after a pioneer in sustainable forestry practices and later CEO of the company. The name George H Weyerhaeuser became quite a mouthful on the radio and after some time was shortened to George. 

In the 1970s, George continued operating as a commercial tug towing barges out of White Bay, Port Jackson. In the 1980s, it was doing the same in Brisbane, QLD. After time as a commercial vessel, George was sold privately and in 1997 was owned and restored by Mick Doohan, the famous Australian motorcycle rider who converted it to a comfortable cruiser, refitting the superstructure and internal fit out using teak and silver ash. 

The vessel then passed through several hands privately and spent some time in Sandringham, VIC, where George crossed Bass Strait to Hobart several times to attend the Australian Wooden Boat Festival. 

In 2018, the vessel was purchased by a young commercial Master working in the maritime industry, who spent five years restoring George to meet commercial survey with AMSA. 

George is available for charter on the Hawkesbury River from current owner Gumnut Tugboat Charters, who direct revenue back to George to maintain the heritage of the craft.
 

Tarrawonga

Tarrawonga is a Halvorsen 38 Gourmet Cruiser which was designed by Harvey Halvorsen as Hull Number 1 and built in Nowra in 2003. The boat is unique among the production series in having a full cockpit hardtop. The cruiser is equipped with a Yanmar 6LY2A-STP 440hp turbo-powered engine capable of delivering a top speed of 23 knots and comfortable long range cruising at 12 knots. With a large forward double berth, separate bunk cabin, extensive refrigeration and open cockpit, Tarrawonga is ideal for day boating or extending cruising. The vessel underwent a substantial refurbishment in 2022 and spends time cruising in company on Sydney Harbour and Pittwater/Hawkesbury.

Amicus

The 1985 36-foot twin engine Island Gypsy cruiser was the eleventh of this design built by Kong and Halvorsen, a joint venture company established in Hong Kong in association with Lars Halvorsen Sons and Joseph Kong. Capable of up to 12 knots, it comfortably cruises at 7–8 knots.