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SARAWANA is a fine example of the small Halvorsen motor cruisers.
Sarawana
SARAWANA is a fine example of the small Halvorsen motor cruisers.
SARAWANA is a fine example of the small Halvorsen motor cruisers.
Private Collection

Sarawana

Vessel numberHV000173
Vessel Registration NumberHALV26N
Date1954
DimensionsVessel Dimensions: 7.92 m x 2.79 m x 0.81 m, 3.94 tonnes (26 ft x 9.15 ft x 2.66 ft, 4 tons)
DescriptionSARAWANA was job number 1094 from the Halvorsen's yard at Ryde in NSW and launched in July 1954. It is an early 26 footer (7.9 metres) from the builders and possibly the second of that length that they built. The craft was originally named FOAM and was privately owned. This 26 foot length type soon became the backbone of the hire fleet.

SARAWANA is planked in oregon with a maple and teak cabin. The varnished superstructure and white hull is the typical finish for a Halvorsen and these small craft share the same Halvorsen elegance of their larger companions. SARAWANA has a side opening door which may not be a typical feature on the hire craft versions at this length.

The motor cruiser has remained in good condition under a number of private owners, and had the original petrol motor replaced with a diesel in 1969.


SignificanceSARAWANA is an example of the small motor cruisers built by Lars Halvorsen Sons in the early 1950 in NSWs. Although similar to the hire boat fleet craft, the design was varied for private recreational vessel.
FREYA on the Solent in the Admirals Cup
Lars Halvorsen Sons Pty Ltd
1963
FREDA is an excellent example of the small motor cruisers that were part of the Halvorsen hire …
Lars Halvorsen Sons Pty Ltd
1959
NYNGAN setting off the day on Broken Bay NSW in 2006.
Lars Halvorsen Sons Pty Ltd
1953
ATLANTA  in one of the many bays that from Cowan Creek in NSW.
Lars Halvorsen Sons Pty Ltd
1963
AOMA on Pittwater in 2011
Lars Halvorsen Sons Pty Ltd
1963
TOORONGA, date unknown
Lars Halvorsen Sons Pty Ltd
1957
Enterprise
Lars Halvorsen Sons Pty Ltd
1957
TRINA at anchor in the late afternoon.
Lars Halvorsen Sons Pty Ltd
1964
KRAIT restored for the 75th Anniversary event on 26th September 2018 at the ANMM wharves.
c 1934
Profile view of PEP in 2008
Lars Halvorsen Sons Pty Ltd
1967
MOLLYHAWK III at Goolwa 2015
Lars Halvorsen Sons Pty Ltd
1945
PS RUBY on the Murray  about 2004 after initial restoration work.
Commander Hugh King
1907