John (1930–2019)
Bob (1936–2019)

Brothers John and Bob Salthouse started boatbuilding together in the early 1950s – today the name Salthouse has become part of New Zealand’s boatbuilding heritage and success.

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Wild start

In 1952, John Salthouse completed his five-year boatbuilding apprenticeship to renowned Auckland boatbuilder Colin Wild in Stanley Bay. Bob joined as an apprentice in 1953.

After Wild died in 1955, Bob completed his apprenticeship under John. The brothers continued working at the Stanley Bay yard until 1957, when they bought Wild’s Greenhithe yard from his widow. They built a boatshed on it from trees that Mrs Wild donated to them and moved the business there.

An early customer at the new premises was family friend Jack Brooke – his daughter Judy and John would later marry. The firm was soon getting commissions from top designers, including Arthur Robb.

Salthouse Brothers

Bob’s design career commenced with the 44-foot (13.41m) motor launch Kotanui (1961) and the 50-foot (15.24m) launch Trinidad (1966).

The Salthouse yard went on to considerable success, becoming J. Salthouse Boat Builder Ltd in 1963, then in 1968, when Bob became a partner in the firm, Salthouse Brothers Ltd. The brothers also set up Salthouse Custom Glass Boats, with Bob as main designer. Their partnership was to continue for some 27 years.

1970s – boom to bust

In the 1970s, the company pioneered fibreglass composite construction with Bob’s sailing yacht designs, the half-ton Cavalier 32 (1970) and the Cavalier 39 (1972) – 175 and 77 respectively were produced in New Zealand.

Business boomed in the 1970s. At its peak Salthouse Brothers was building more than 50 boats a year, employing 55 staff and many more sub-contractors in three factories. The vessels ranged in size from 17 to 74 feet (5.18–22.56m) in either timber or fibreglass composite construction.

The Corsair 36 motor launch (1973) was another success – 60 were produced before a 1978 tax on ‘luxury’ boats stopped demand in its tracks. The company turned to boats for export and commercial use, as these were exempt from the tax.

Family builds on

In 1983, Bob Salthouse set up his own firm, Salthouse Design Services. This in turn became Salthouse Marine Group Ltd in 1999, building semi-production luxury motor yachts, with Bob’s daughter Julie heading the company. Bob had more than 750 designs to his name.

John and Bob’s original company continues in Greenhithe as Salthouse Boatbuilders, under the leadership of Greg and Chris Salthouse, manufacturing custom boats, including high-tech racing yachts.