Despite all that, Salthouse's Next Generation Boats is now this country's most productive production or semi-production launch builder. Over the past few years he has enjoyed remarkable success with his Corsair-based Euro 44s, selling them in steady numbers on both sides of the Tasman. It is a trend that seems likely to continue, too.
Salthouse recently released a new, larger version of the Corsair and this Euro 49 looks likely to prove just as popular as its shorter sibling; a second 49 had been due to follow the first on to the water and a third is under construction for a Sydney owner (who intends to put it to work in the charter business).
It is a stunning beginning for a single-level model that comes with a price tag that ranges from a little more than $1 million to about 30 per cent more again.
So what makes these Corsairs so popular? A big part of it is in the ride. Forget everything you've heard about the old Mk I's tendency to become wayward in a following sea. When Salthouse started building his "next generation" boats he made major modifications to the Corsair hull first designed by his father, Bob. Out went the twin rudders and in their place a single rudder and a skeg keel. Both the handling and the performance improved immensely. The single central rudder also created less drag, giving better fuel economy.
As Pacific PowerBoat editor Barry Thompson notes: "Anyone who has experienced a Next Generation boat in the moderate to rough seas would have to agree it doesn't really have any vices."
The extra length of the 49's hull has only improved things. There is no fore and aft pitch and the side-to-side stability is even better, probably thanks to the extra displacement.
That skeg also completely protects the shaft and propeller from sandbars, logs and rocks while the bottom of the keel has a 200mm-wide shoe to help avoid sinking if the boat is grounded on soft sand or mud.
The first Euro 49 (the Wellington-bound Black Pearl) has a dry weight of 9.5 tonnes and a laden weight of just under 12 tonnes, with 1220 litres of fuel and 720 litres of water. However, much of that is because of her long list of electrical appliances: 9.5kVA genset, watermaker, air-conditioning system, dive compressor, household washer-dryer and dishwasher, as well as the aft head and barbecue. The second Euro 49 will be more than a tonne lighter.
Nevertheless, even with this extra weight Black Pearl is no slug. Powered by twin 345hp MTU diesels through conventional shafts, the first Euro 49 records a maximum speed just shy of 30 knots (interestingly, a Euro 44 with exactly the same power but two tonnes lighter does 33 knots).
At 29.6 knots Black Pearl burns 150 litres per hour, which is the same as the Euro 44 at maximum speed. At a cruising speed of 20 knots the Euro 49 burns a total of 70 litres per hour, at 12 knots it uses 26 litres per hour and while idling at 4.5 knots she sips only 2.6 litres per hour.
The 49's most economical planing speed is 17 knots, at which she will burn just 50 litres per hour, an exceptionally economical rate for a boat of this size and style.
In addition to its extra 1.5m, the 49 has a more European appearance than its predecessor. There is more curve in the windscreens, more cowlings and a softer approach to the external lines.
On Black Pearl that extra length has been used to extend the cockpit although there is the option to have the rear bulkhead moved further aft (by up to 1m) to increase the saloon area. That has allowed the installation of a day head, an integral barbecue and a large servery that connects the galley (at the aft end of the saloon) with the al fresco dining area at the front of the cockpit.
Salthouse has resisted the modern trend of an island transom, instead mounting the barbecue/fish-filleting bench to one side and leaving a large central opening (closed off safely while under way) through which one can welcome guests, haul in a tender or wrestle on board a large gamefish.
When not in fishing mode, the Euro 49 will no doubt be a superb entertainer. There is space for almost a dozen people around the cockpit table and across in another settee.
An overhang provides ample protection and the galley is equipped to cope with surprise guests; there is plenty of room inside the cherrywood-lined saloon, around the formal dinette and complementary settee. Unexpected guests can also take advantage of the dinette's ability to drop down and form an emergency double berth while there is room for another five or more in the two or three cabins further forward.
49 Euro
LOA: 15.05m
LWL: 14.02m
Beam: 4.12m
Draft: 1m
Displacement: 11.75 tonnes (full load)
Construction: Solid GRP and balsa core
Engines: 2 x 345hp MTU 6R700s
Maximum speed: 30 knots
Cruising speed: 25 knots
Fuel capacity: 1220 litres
Water capacity: 780 litres
Want to know more?
Check out Barry Thompson's review of the Euro 49 in the July/August issue of Pacific Powerboat magazine.
