Ocean-going luxury vessel redesigned

During the past three years Salthouse Marine has invested in design and tooling to shape and consolidate a range evolved from the Sovereign series it has produced for more than a decade. The redevelopment programme has optimised and modernised the range.

The Salthouse 65 is the flagship, with the first one launched just over a year ago. It is a development of the Sovereign 62 design but features a wider beam (5.6m as opposed to 5m), deeper fore foot and increased flare in the bow.

With designer Bob Salthouse's traditional fine entry forward and flat run aft, these features create a hull that is easily driven, planes at low speeds (approaching 13 knots), has good stability and excellent handling in a seaway.

The Sovereign hull mould is now used for the hulls of the new 2005 Salthouse 49, 52 and 57 models, which have been redesigned and retooled from the deck up, bringing them into visual line with the Salthouse 65.

All Salthouse Marine boats are hand-built using modern composite materials and end-grain balsa cores. Hulls and decks are built to Lloyds Register standards, independently inspected during construction and certified on completion.

Two 2005 model Salthouse 52s are now being built at Salthouse Marine's factory in Henderson, Auckland, for Australian clients. The first will be launched in September and the second in November.

The first Salthouse 52 and the third and fourth Salthouse 65s were started on spec and configured to a standard layout. Each boat has since been sold, with the 52 destined for Adelaide, the third 65 under contract to the United States and the fourth 65 recently signed by an Auckland client.

While Salthouse Marine's output remains firmly positioned at the upper end of the luxury market, and semi-customised vessels are always an option, the move towards stock layouts optimises production by allowing vessels to be started before a buyer is confirmed. This increases manufacturing efficiency and shortens delivery times.

It also allows marketing programmes to be rationalised and enables potential buyers to build an understanding of exactly where the brand is positioned in the market.

Troy Woods, marketing manager of Salthouse Marine, says the stock layout chosen for the Salthouse 65 was carefully configured to suit most New Zealand and Australian requirements.

"The vessel is equally at home cruising with the family, entertaining friends or deep-sea fishing, and the al fresco lounge area in the cockpit is a strong feature welcomed by most buyers."

The standard layout is available in two variations, which have identical facilities forward (two sumptuous double cabins with ensuites and a guest cabin with bunks), and similar cockpit and flying bridge spaces.

Subtle but significant differences are achieved by repositioning the saloon bulkhead so the second option has a larger saloon and smaller al fresco lounge area.

Salthouse Marine has been exporting to Australia for six years and Woods says it has recently been the most active market. The removal of Australian trade barriers (20 per cent uplift and 22 per cent duty) and the introduction of GST provided a level playing field and allowed for expansion in that country.

"We anticipate the Australian market will remain the company's primary outlet because of its sheer size and population, but the New Zealand market is maturing and generating strong inquiries from local customers once again."

Salthouse Marine enjoyed a positive response at the last Sanctuary Cove International Boat Showin May, receiving orders for three 65s, and registering strong interest for the 52.

Woods says the Salthouse 65 can be delivered by ship or motored across the Tasman under its own steam. Australian buyers view the Tasman crossing as a positive, part of the running-in sequence and proof the Salthouse 65 can operate in Pacific Island and Australian waters.

The transtasman trip adds about 80 engine hours, about twice the normal 30-50 commissioning hours Salthouse Marine tries to log before handing over each vessel.

The first engine service is carried out at 50 hours, with the lead-up providing time to conduct essential commissioning, adjust the propellers if necessary and thoroughly acquaint owners with their new vessel.

Salthouse Marine has witnessed a general shift towards bigger boats and the Salthouse 65 is a response to that trend. The company expects the trend to continue towards even bigger motor yachts, so Bob Salthouse has a Salthouse 70 and 75 on the drawing board.