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AVONITA just after it was launched in 1934 and undergoing trials on Sydney Harbour when its ori…

Avonita

Vessel numberHV000258

Vessel Registration Number3424

Designer Lars Halvorsen Sons Pty Ltd (1924 -)

Builder Lars Halvorsen Sons Pty Ltd (1924 -)

Previous owner Royal Australian Navy (Australian, founded 1913)

Date1934

DimensionsVessel Dimensions: 12.8 m x 12.8 m x 3.51 m x 1.37 m, 15.75 tonnes (42 ft x 42 ft x 11.5 ft x 4.5 ft, 16 tons)

DescriptionAVONITA was planked in New Zealand kauri, with teak decks and Queensland maple superstructure. It has a bridge deck layout with dual helm stations. It was built for Richard Strelitz of Sydney as job number 114 at Halvorsen's Neutral Bay facility and delivered in April 1934, just after it had featured on Halvorsen's stand at the Royal Easter Show. Strelitz also ordered a 3.65 m (12 ft) dinghy for the cruiser ( job number 116) delivered in May 1934.

Australian Motor Boat and Yachting Magazine Monthly wrote about AVONITA (as POLLYANNA): " It was well that a charge of 6p. admission was made (to see the boat) otherwise the crowds would have been uncontrollable."

Strelitz sold AVONITA in 1936 to Western Australian business man CE (Peter) Prior who took it to Perth and the Swan River. Renamed AVONITA by Prior, he sold it in 1938 and since then it has been owned by a number of well known business identities. For most of its life it has been kept at the Perth's Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club.

During World War II AVONITA was requisitioned by the Royal Australian Navy and used as a patrol craft, based in Fremantle. It was given the number 712 and based at HMAS LEEUWIN II. A Vickers 303 machine gun was fitted over the aft cabin, and two depth charges were mounted at the stern.

The original engines were Morris 6 cylinder petrol engines, and they were replaced in the 1960s by two Chrysler slant sixes. It has also had a flying bridge helm position added above the saloon cabin.

In 2013 AVONITA remained in excellent condition and in use as a private motor cruiser.
SignificanceAVONITA was launched in 1934 as POLLYANNA II and is an example of a luxury cruiser from the prolific and long standing firm of Lars Halvorsen, later Lars Halvorsen Sons. Designed by Lars' son Harold, it was displayed at the 1934 Royal Easter Show in Sydney NSW. In 1936 it was taken to Western Australia, where it remains.