“A nautical legend. The length, beam, deep V, owners and craftsmen at various stages have all magically worked together to produce Avalon II as she is today – aesthetically timeless and irreplaceable”

-David Pleysier

Avalon II is a unique, Australian built 50 foot sportfisherman, the product of the combined design expertise of C. Raymond Hunt and David Pleysier.  Possessing extraordinary performance, comfort and sea-keeping qualities, she is presented in sublime condition.

HISTORY | The Legends of Pleysier and Hunt

“Works of Art on Water”

It has become a dream of many to own a “Pleysier”.

A very limited number of these exceptional craft exist, and Avalon II is one of the special vessels to emerge from the stable, distinguished by unique design features. 

The name “Pleysier” is revered in Australian boat-building and design.  David Pleysier is recognised as crafting boats that have re-defined standards of construction and performance (and fish-raising records!) in the most demanding and gruelling conditions along the Australian coastline, and internationally.

The “Pleysier ride”

Many have said that “nothing rides quite like a Pleysier”.

Pleysiers have a notably low centre of gravity and balanced weight distribution contributing to effortless planing and cruising efficiency, buoyancy, cruising attitude, manoeuvrability, an incredibly dry and soft ride, and inherent seaworthiness instilling great confidence.

The Hull

“Hugely capable in any sea”

– Winn Willard, Chairman, Hunt Design

Avalon II’s hull is a development of a 45 foot Charles ‘Raymond’ Hunt design (now “Hunt Design”). The United States based marquee of worldwide renown is steeped in history, in particular, for their “deep-V” hull formula. 

Many of Raymond Hunt's notes and sketches deal with variations of deadrise, loss of lift, addition of lift, and reduction of wetted area. Instinctively, Hunt knew the angle for the deep-V should be a maximum of 24 degrees in race-boats, and 20-22 degrees for hulls that were intended to sit at moderate cruising speeds.

As longstanding Chairman, Winn Willard comments, “I recall Avalon II was the last in the line of sportfishing boats we designed for very serious big game fisherman…” The last of a small group of boats that included other famous names such as Pannawonica and Sea Strike, that Winn remarks were “hugely capable in any sea”.

C. Raymond Hunt

A Pleysier Design/Build

Raymond Hunt’s single-minded perfection of some very simple but important design concepts was of great appeal to another man motivated by perfecting the art of good design, David Pleysier.

David Pleysier’s boats, by virtue of their simplicity and functionality, were designed to satisfy their owners. Every working aspect of the vessel is accessible and viewable. Systems are simple, well thought out, and designed to last.

Avalon II marked a watershed moment in David Pleysier’s customisation of boats built upon the world-famous Hunt hulls.  Pleysier was responsible for the hull advancements, deck, superstructure and engineering (including the engine foundations).

He was both encouraged and “challenged” by original commissioning owner, Barry Thomas, to tinker with the dimensions for improved stability (beam broadened to 4.77m); to add a sheerline to raise the bow, and to integrate more of a ‘plum bow’ design. 

The resultant alterations were very successful, with Pleysier recognising Avalon II as among his best, with “fabulous seakeeping abilities”.  A boat that set a platform for his designs moving forward.

The Avalon II build commenced at David Pleysier’s Goodwood Craft company.  Original owner Barry Thomas recalls Pleysier’s “absolute perfectionism” and that he “wouldn’t accept any compromises…”

“I’d call over there twice a week, sometimes at night, and he’d still be there working”.

Avalon II was completed by “Shipwrights of Deloy” and David Richardson to what David Pleysier describes as “an exceptionally high standard”.  The hull was later extended aft by 3 feet creating huge cockpit area which Pleysier also gave his strong endorsement to. 

EXCEPTIONAL RESTORATION

Avalon II has been the beneficiary of a small number of fastidious owners, two of whom have conducted major re-fits and re-builds: owners Andrew Mitchell in 2014 and Peter Toohey in 2022, collectively amounting to $3m. 

Andrew Mitchell took the boat literally to bare-hull, while Peter Toohey’s restoration completed in April 2022 took some of the major structural enhancements of 2014 to the next level, with absolutely no detail left unexamined, and no expense spared on fit-out.

With the masterful workmanship of Craig Martin of “Assegai Marine” deployed on the major components of the 2022 re-build, another famous boatbuilding name has been added alongside its Hunt and Pleysier pedigree. 

David Pleysier himself was actively involved as a consultant and adviser (through both restorations) in achieving this superb result.  As Peter Toohey remarks, “David Pleysier became our X-Ray vision into what was inside, on the end of the phone. It was invaluable.”

Peter Toohey suggests he was on board for the restoration 6 days / week for a year, and “…towards the end, seven.  It was total commitment and we had some incredible trades.”  Both the 2022 and 2014 projects have re-imagined and re-birthed this Australian Classic, with the latest effectively rendering it a 2022 vessel. 

Notwithstanding the extraordinary rebuilds the boat has enjoyed to modernise and enhance its amenity, function and performance in recent years (detailed extensively below), Avalon II was already notably well preserved among the Pleysier fleet.  Harboured primarily in Western Australia for the majority of her life, Avalon II has not been “worked hard” and now berthed in Sydney, is in truly exceptional condition.

Below Decks

“The Real Magic is below the decks”

In approaching the 2022 restoration, Peter Toohey comments “Andrew Mitchell had done such a beautiful job (in 2014), we didn’t want to take any short-cuts.  We wanted to pay the boat homage.” 

Every part of the boat has been examined throughout its two restorations.  In 2014, the longitudinal and lateral hull stringers were doubled in number and bolstered.  All of the knuckles were stiffened to platform new engines and greater horsepower.  Structurally, the immediate past owners and David Pleysier agree that the hull “is bulletproof.”

Engine Room & Electrical

The engine room houses Avalon II’s Cummins QSC diesels producing 600hp each, which are in excellent condition with very low hours (approx. 430 hrs).  These powerplants deliver very impressive performance and efficiency (see below). 

Ventilation was a firm focus in 2022 and great time was expended on both getting quality air in and getting air out of the engine room.  Much work and expense also went into the fire safety systems, which are absolutely comprehensive. Water-tight bulkheads are present and every small part has been renewed, ensuring the condition of these crucial areas is “better than new”.

In 2022, considerable focus was also applied to the drivetrain and in getting the alignment close to perfection.

Restoration works included:

  • New Cummins engines (2014)

  • Engine mounts fully re-built (2014)

  • Re-machined propellers (2022)

  • New prop shafts (Qld survey standard) (2022)

  • New bearings (2022)

  • New dripless shaft glands (2022)

  • New flexible couplings (2022)

  • New watermakers (2014)

  • New genset (2014)

  • Batteries replaced (2022)

  • New Bilge pumps (2022)

  • New fuel tanks (2014)

  • Boat fully re-wired and re-plumbed (2014).

  • All 24 and 240v systems new 2014 and checked/replaced (2022).

  • New heat and smoke/fire sensors installed (2014)

  • Fire vent flaps installed on all engine intakes (2014)

  • Fire cylinder removed, serviced and re-installed (2022)

  • Manual & remote fuel shut-offs and battery shut-off switches installed (2014)

  • Fire suppression monitoring system installed (2014)

  • New and over-engineered engine beds installed (2014)

  • New engine pump-outs, high water alarms (per survey requirements) checked (2022)

  • Every inch of the engine room and underfloor areas faired and re-painted (2022)

  • All small parts: clips, hoses etc renewed/replaced (2022)

  • Outfitted with “smart-craft” gauges and engine management systems (2014)

  • New power outlets throughout boat and overhead lighting (2014/2022)

Accommodation, Galley & Bathrooms

_________________________________

Extensive, detailed and thoughtful work has gone in to creating an aesthetic that is “clean and simple” – with understated elegance.   Phillipa Toohey can take much credit for the enhancement of the accomodations and amenities in the 2022 re-fit.  The owners wanted Avalon II to be functional, easy-care and simple, yet still serviceable for “working” given her enduring DNA as “a sports fishing boat”.

Re-fit works included:

  • New vinyl, head-linings, carpets, bed-heads, light-fittings, light switches and hatches.

  • Teak door trims replaced.

  • New two-pack paint internally.

  • Variety of new fittings and new non-skid surfaces.

  • Entirely re-imagined ‘clean and crisp’ décor

  • New overhead hatches for improved light, including in all heads

  • Bilges under beds, heads etc – fully cleared and examined.

  • Modernised the heads, cupboards.

  • New taps and sinks.

  • New bunks

  • New floor coverings

  • Replaced portholes with hatches

  • Kitchen benchtops using one piece moulded teak (Gateway Marine)

  • New 5mm benchtop for light weight strength in galley

  • New 2 drawer commercial refrigeration

  • New stainless, commercial grade cooktop, fully vented.

  • All drawers in galley are soft close and lockable with one touch so as they don’t move at sea.

The great time and care taken has produced an outstanding result, of superb elegance.

Flybridge, Finishes, Fittings & Equipment

“You don’t just go and buy bits and bolt them on; it’s all bespoke and hand made.”

Peter Toohey employed the craftsmanship of Craig and Barry Martin at Assegai Marine, legendary in their own right, to create a totally bespoke flybridge and hard top.  The intent was to design something special that looked like it “was part of the boat”, rather than being simply bolted on. 

Getting the camber, sizing, and construction approach correct took a huge amount of custom work.  Peter Toohey labels the flybridge windscreen “a work of art”.  With its fibreglass frame, channels were made to fit the custom-made perspex, that was then heated to slump into shape so it wouldn’t stress, flex or require screws.

Some original elements have been retained of course, including the original hand-made steering wheel by David Pleysier.

Features / works include:

  • Wholly new, modernised hard top (Assegai Marine).

  • Aluminium frame for hard top fabricated by Black Marlin

  • Miami single lever controls in helm

  • Original hand-made steering wheel by David Pleysier

  • A total fair and re-paint of the whole boat (Millenium Marine).

  • All windows recessed and re-painted.

  • All paint systems by Millennium Marine to super yacht finish. Everdure, Jotun and All-Grip products utilised.

  • Raymarine touch-screen electronics

  • Totally re-built anchor lockers (50m of chain), box built to accommodate.

  • New anchor winch

  • “Post-cured” all cavities; returned some cavities to storage.

  • New cabin windows to survey standards, faired and recessed.

  • New TV integrated into Fusion sound system and stowed away for travelling.

  • New lounges and new table in saloon.

  • Large amount of custom stainless steel work, including ladders, pedestals etc.

  • New “pompanette”, teak ladder-back helm chairs

  • Custom made Assegai Marine rocket launcher

  • New tackle station and new Reelax equipment fitted.

  • Pulled up a lot of deck and re-fibreglassed, re-epoxied and re-teaked (2022)

“The detail is next level”

Commercial use

Avalon II is built to USA coastal survey standards and is over-engineered with watertight bulkheads and stepped crash bulkheads in the bow and a range of heavy gauge safety equipment.  She has the potential to be put into commercial use with relative ease.  She has been assessed to be put into survey at a cost of approximately $70k.  With basic equipment additions, she can swiftly be made ready for commercial game-fishing.

Performance

“It is just a beautiful thing”

- Skipper Mark “Statue” Stevenson

On a recent trip from the Gold Coast to Sydney post re-launch, well known and respected skipper Mark “Statue” Stevenson was amazed by elements of Avalon II’s performance. 

Statue reports:

“The boat is beautiful to look at, let alone be on... she was an absolute pleasure to drive.  It planes really nicely and sits at a beautiful angle.  It is a very roomy boat.  It does everything well and is so well behaved and dry.  She tracks like a go-kart...  I was pleasantly surprised at how economical she was and the performance we achieved with that power.  She was very quiet in the water, with her wooden construction muffling a lot of engine and water noise.  Fish would love it… I just want to spend more time on her…”

Barry Thomas, her original owner, regularly sailed her through some very rough water to Exmouth, leaving her on auto-pilot and “rarely having to touch the controls”.  

Andrew Mitchell, a subsequent owner, also lauds her performance in rough sea, stating he “never needed wet weather gear on the flybridge”.

Post Avalon II’s 2022 relaunch, the boat is slightly lighter, and slightly faster. Her modern Cummins QSC 600 HP diesel engines are extremely economical yet deliver a sprint speed of 30 knots.

Long range fuel tanks with a capacity of 3800L give a cruising range of roughly 1000nm at 10 knots.  At a fast cruise of 21 knots, Avalon II is only burning 130L/hour (total), giving serious capability for passage-making and time at sea.

“I can honestly say she is the best sea boat I have ever been in.  She runs really flat; no need for trim tabs at all.  The ride is so soft and DRY… not a drop of water on the clears going into a southerly…how is that even possible?.. 

The sheer line and bow flare work a treat.  Down below, not a creak from the hull or superstructure.  Pleysier made these things rock solid and built to last. We LOVE this Boat!!”  

- Peter Toohey, Owner

Length: 48 feet LOD (14.63m); 56 feet LOA (17.07m)

Beam: 15.65 feet (4.77m)

Draft: 1.15m

Weight: 15.25 tonnes (lightship)

Hull Deadrise: 22 degrees

Engines: Cummins QSC 600 HP x 2 with 430 hours

Gensets: 7 KVA with 472 hours

Cruise Speed: 21 knots

Top Speed: 30 knots

Fuel: 3,800L

Water: 300L

Batteries: Deep Cycle Big River x 8

Davit: 250kg ADC

Tender: 2.7 M BRIG / Honda 10 hp electric start

Avalon II Specifications

Full feature coming to classicboats.tv soon

Contact us.

If you would like more information on this classic restoration please contact us via the form below or call 0418280937.