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LYNDALL II's elegant profile has the plumb stem and more upright styling seen on Halvorsen desi…
Lyndall II
LYNDALL II's elegant profile has the plumb stem and more upright styling seen on Halvorsen desi…
LYNDALL II's elegant profile has the plumb stem and more upright styling seen on Halvorsen designs of this period.
Private Collection

Lyndall II

Vessel numberHV000110
Vessel Registration NumberJK604N
Official Number157623
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.
SUZIE in 2007, recently restored to excellent condition.
Lars Halvorsen Sons Pty Ltd
1948
SILVER CLOUD at the ANMM in March 2010
Lars Halvorsen Sons Pty Ltd
1939
Keeping just ahead of the 'Parade of Sail', MINOCQUA motors into Constitution Dock for the 2007…
Lars Halvorsen Sons Pty Ltd
1947
SILVER CLOUD II cruising along at moderate speed, note the expanse of foredeck.
Lars Halvorsen Sons Pty Ltd
1968
JASMIN on the Hawkesbury River in 2008.
Lars Halvorsen Sons Pty Ltd
1962
AIR VIEW in 2013 under restoration
Miami Boat Building Company, Florida, USA
1944
MOONRAY pictured in 2007
Lars Halvorsen Sons Pty Ltd
1939
ANITRA V on Sydney Harbour
Lars Halvorsen Sons Pty Ltd
1956
KWEENA at Batemans Bay NSW 2012
Lars Halvorsen Sons Pty Ltd
1933
MOLLYHAWK III at Goolwa 2015
Lars Halvorsen Sons Pty Ltd
1945
FREYA on the Solent in the Admirals Cup
Lars Halvorsen Sons Pty Ltd
1963
AOMA on Pittwater in 2011
Lars Halvorsen Sons Pty Ltd
1963