Lyndall II

Vessel numberHV000110

Vessel Registration NumberJK604N

Official Number157623

Designer Lars Halvorsen Sons Pty Ltd (1924 -)

Builder Lars Halvorsen Sons Pty Ltd (1924 -)

Date1934

DimensionsVessel Dimensions: 11.58 m x 11.58 m x 3.66 m x 1.01 m (38 ft x 38 ft x 12 ft x 3.3 ft)
Registered Dimensions: 11.52 m x 3.51 m x 1.07 m, 21.68 tons (37.8 ft x 11.5 ft x 3.5 ft)

DescriptionThe motor cruiser LYNDALL II was designed by Lars Halvorsen, and was job number 112. It is one of the earliest Halvorsen motor launches still extant, and is a splendid example of the restrained and elegant styling of the early 1930s period.

It was originally named SEA EFF at launch, which was a play on the initials of the owner, Claude Fay. In fact he used the name again in 1948 for an 18 foot (5.5 m) long launch built by Halvorsens ( yard number 892). With a number of owners over a long period, the motor cruiser's name changed four more times.

The April 10 1934 issue of Australian Motor Boat and Yachting Monthly has a short reference to SEA EFF in a piece about activities at Lars Halvorsen's yard. "....he [ Lars Halvorsen] reports that a Bridge deck cruiser has been built for Mr. Claude Fay, of Marrickville, fitted with a Thornycroft engine. The trials were most successful." This date confirms other records that indicate SEA EFF was launched in March 1934, and the images show it was a pleasant, sunny day, well attended by friends and relatives of the owner.

The timber hull is painted white and the superstructure varnished, the standard Halvorsen finish. The arrangement now features a bridge deck over the main cabin for an outside helm position.

In 1935 a year after its launch it won the Baby Betty Trophy. LYNDALL II remains in excellent condition and is now over 70 years old.

Update June 2023: LYNDALL II had a major upgrade in the 1980's including engine replacement. LYNDALL II was sold in December 2015 and is now moored off Avalon Sailing Club.
SignificanceLYNDALL II is a motor cruiser built in Sydney in 1934. It is an early example of a luxury Halvorsen motor launch, and not many of the early 1930s craft remain extant to show the work of designer Lars Halvorsen before he passed away in the mid-1930s.