24' Ford Kauri Cabin Cruiser (1954) - AVALON

Avalon is a 1954 Sam Ford classic kauri launch. Built in Auckland for my grandparents as an hull only, my grandfather then spent 6 months finishing the cabin, installing an engine, interior and some basic system before launching int the creek at the bottom of the daily farm in beachaven on the north shore of Auckland, she then spent the next 50 years moored at my grandparents wharf at the bottom of their garden, and being used year round with all maintaince carried out on the sand bank when the tide went out. When my grandfather died grandma had a major overhaul done by a boat builder and she used Avalon well into her 80’s around Waiheke before she came out of the water and sat on the front lawn for 10 odd years. When grandma was looking to sell the property and down size in her 90’s I started looking at what Avalon needed to be back in the water and made the decision that she was too special to not save her as I had been boating on Avalon since I was born. She has been in one family ownership since new. She is currently undergoing a full rebuild with all new Mahogany cabin sides by the 3rd generation and hopes to be back on the water mid 2026. She will be predominantly trailer based and will mean that she can be towed all over to explore the many lakes and fjords that the north and south islands of New Zealand have to offer.