In conjunction with the Sydney Hobart Classic Yacht Regatta and as part of the CYCA’s recognition of the enormous contribution the Halvorsen family have made to ocean racing, and to boating in general, four of their boats will be on display in the Pond Thursday 12 to Sunday 15 December
February 2025 will be the 100th anniversary of the arrival in Australia of the Halvorsens from Norway via South Africa, and the start of the Lars Halvorsen Sons boatbuilding business. During the next 50 years over 1,500 boats were built, with the Sydney Hobart winners Solveig and Anitra V recognised as two of the most famous.
Solveig won Sydney-Hobart line honours in 1953, and was the overall winner on handicap in 1954. Solveig was the first of Trygve Halvorsen’s ocean racer designs, and was built by Lars Halvorsen Sons at Ryde in 1950. The yacht has an overall length of 10.97m, beam of 2.67m, draft of 1.68m and was launched with a 3/4 fractional rig. Solveig’s hanging spade rudder was an unusual feature for the era.
Anitra V was the overall winner of the Sydney-Hobart Yacht in 1957 and placed second in 1956, 1958 and again in 1959. Anitra V is a Trygve Halvorsen design, built at Ryde in 1956. The yacht has an overall length of 11.73m, beam of 2.9m, draft of 1.83m and is rigged as a masthead sloop.
Kweena is a classic Halvorsen bridge deck motor cruiser, and was built in 1933 by Lars Halvorsen Sons at Neutral Bay. Kweena has an overall length of 11.6m (38ft), beam of 3.8m, draft of 1.37m and is powered by a Perkins 5.8ltr diesel engine generating 120hp and a maximum speed of 10knots.
The boat was requisitioned for War Service in January 1943 and as HMAS Kweena was commissioned as a Naval Auxiliary Patrol boat.
Marlaine, is a 7.9m (26ft) Halvorsen cruiser and a wonderful example of Halvorsen’s timber craftsmanship. Built in Ryde in 1961, Marlaine has a beam of 2.97m and a .91m draft. Marlaine briefly served in the Halvorsen hire fleet at Bobbin Head under the name Xarifa.
Written by: David Champtaloup
