At almost seven metres in length, stepping aboard the latest Kingfisher 670 Hard Top Powercat from New Zealand provides an instant feeling of spaciousness, security and stability, writes BARRY WISEMAN.

Whether heading out into the Indian Ocean off the west coast or the Southern Ocean down south, most days you’re facing a decent swell and chop, having to brace yourself accordingly for what can be a rough ride.

Enter the Kingfisher 670HT Powercat, built specifically to combat such conditions off the coast of New Zealand.

Based at Tauranga in the North Island, Kingfisher Boats builds a variety of catamarans plus monohulls ranging from 3.6-13m, the smaller versions already well received by customers of sole WA agent, Sportsmarine in Bunbury.

Dealer principal Greg Collett thought it was time to upsize, and this latest 670HT Powercat caught his eye.

He was impressed with its capability for offshore waters, the amount of space in the cabin and cockpit, plus the fact it has ample grunt from the twin Yamaha 130hp four-stroke engines on the rear.

“You could step up to the Yamaha 150hp motors, but unless you are seeking digital fly-wire steering and controls available on that bigger engine, these twin 130s give you all the power you are going to need plus economy,” Greg said as we motored across a smooth Koombana Bay off Bunbury.

“Let me demonstrate for you.”

This was the first time on the water since the vessel came off the back of a truck, so Greg spent some time thoroughly checking the various systems that were factory fitted, such as navigation lights, cockpit floodlight, deck wash and the live-bait tank located in the aft walkway between the two engines, a popular fishing spot with access to the solid dive ladder on the transom.

He also checked the interior cabin lights, infill cushion, sliding windows and the single windscreen wiper.

On the dash, there was a flush-mounted Garmin 16-inch sounder/GPS combo that hooked up to a 1kw transducer located down the back.

System checks completed and safety gear onboard, Greg engaged the four-bladed props on the pair of Yammies.

The Garmin speed was set at kilometres per hour as we headed north into the sun and a light north-easterly breeze.

It read 1000 revs at 7kmh, 2000 at 14kmh, 3000 at 30kmh, 4000 at 40kmh and 5000 at 56 kilometres per hour.

At this stage, we did a 180-degree turn, heading south with the slight breath of wind behind us before powering up again.

We got slightly better figures through the range and went on to top out at 6000 revs while registering 73 kilometres an hour, the twin Yamaha 130hp engines not missing a beat.

Heaps of power for what is a very solid craft with a 2.5-tonne tow weight.

The vessel specifications online recommend twin engine power between 100hp/150hp, so if you wanted to save money, the Yamaha 115hp motors would also make a good combination, both the 115hp and 130hp having the same size engine block.

As the figures showed with the 130hp, there was a big leap in grunt as we headed to wide open throttle (WOT).

You’re not going to do that sort of running often, but it’s good to know you have that power if you need it to get back to shore in a hurry.  

Certainly, this combination is a real winner, and you could sit on 3500 revs and cruise all day, while the twin-pontoon construction of this catamaran means you can tackle rough water conditions and still stay safe and have a comfortable ride.

When I take my engine in for a service and diagnostic report, my technicians always say I should be pushing the engine more.

However, in the sea conditions I frequent, seldom do I get over 4500rpm.

It’s not often I get to accelerate between 5000 and 6000 revs, that’s where the monohull differs from the catamaran.

FOR ALL OCCASIONS

There’s no doubt the Kingfisher 670HT Powercat is geared for serious fishers, plus it’s a great family vessel for day trips and overnighters.

With a 2.49m beam, there is plenty of room for tackle, craypots and diving gear, along with the space needed for family outings.

The gunwales are high when there’s toddlers on board, with dual side pockets both sides which double as steps when boarding or alighting at the jetty.

Up front you have a spacious berth for overnights with heaps of storage in the pontoons underneath.

Very cleverly, for the tall people on board, the designers at Kingfisher have provided drop-down sections in the helm bulkhead, which when deployed provide upholstered extensions for your feet, or head for that matter if you’re seeking more ventilation on a hot night.

It means the bunks, both port and starboard, can accommodate people 2m-plus in height.

There’s still room for ankle biters in the middle because the sleeping quarters extend the full width of the vessel.

The bunk extension is on a hinge and simply folds back up, with a barrel bolt converting it back into a bulkhead wall, the exterior of which comes with footrests for the skipper and portside passenger using the quality bucket seats, complete with bolster cushion.

I think the glove box on the port dash is the largest I have ever seen, offering loads of space for binoculars, valuables, sunscreens and tools.

On the starboard side, the skipper’s dash on this boat came with the Garmin 16-inch monitor, engine management displays for the twin Yammies, Garmin 27MHz and GME VHF radios, Fusion stereo, SAV electric anchor drum winch control, plus USB and 12v power sockets.

The convenient shelving on the port and starboard cabin walls come with gated edges to prevent spillage onto the deck of any stored goods.

The speakers for the Fusion sound system were mounted in the upper reaches of the beefy HT cabin roof supports.

Above the head, there’s ventilation hatches plus full-length grab railing port and starboard to hang onto while negotiating between the seats.

The mounting box for the skipper’s seat incorporates a dickie seat facing the cockpit with storage underneath, while on the port side there is room to store a portable fridge or cooler.

In this case the 70-litre unit was the New Zealand-made Icey Tek brand fitted with dual lids.

It slid in underneath the padded seat incorporated into the passenger seat box.

ROOM TO MOVE

As mentioned previously, the cockpit is roomy, with more than enough space to transport four or six rock lobster pots out to your favourite location.

Once offloaded, break out the rods to easily fish four or five anglers.

There are dedicated locations with rod holders for four along the side decks, plus one in the caged boarding platform between the motors.

With the ladder in the upright and locked position, this is often a favoured location for fishers to work directly over the transducer below.

To access the gangway, you step over the live-bait tank installed along the main transom.

The review vessel’s aluminium foredeck, cockpit and side decks were fitted with non-skid Eva high density foam, dark grey in this instance.

With our unusual extended summer weather pattern this year it was a 32-degree day, so the foam underfoot was certainly needed.

With any aluminium boat and many fibreglass vessels, you need deck protection in our climate, plus there is the non-skid safety factor.

In this case, the decking was laid in several sections, creating channels for water run-off and making it easier to replace a single section, if needed. Good thinking Kingfisher.

The high-density foam is stain resistant and it rejects water, so you need drainage channels to get the water away during washdown.

The same principle has been applied on the gunwales around the rod and sinker holders and there the foam is a major safety feature, so you don’t slip on the side deck getting in and out of the vessel.

I might add, the very sturdy double side pockets on the Kingfisher 670HT function as a great ladder while boarding.

It’s great having the dual shelves too for storing ropes, fenders and gaffs. 

Along the transom you have your standard hatches to access dual batteries, switches and plumbing for the bait tank and deck wash, the hose of which lives in the port side pocket at the rear.

The starboard transom has a fixed double-shelved bait station with four rod holders and twin knife storage slots built in.

The lower shelf holds your spare rigs plus keeps the sun off the bait.

Simply reaching down with the right hand provides access to the lid of the live bait tank.

When the valve is open, water continues to pump and circulate, with the overflows at the rear onto the transom gangway.

Alternatively, when travelling with the pump off, water will still pass through the system using a centrifugal force inlet.

CUTTING THE MUSTARD

As soon as you get up close, you can see the quality of workmanship that goes into the Kingfisher Powercat.

The aluminium welding is clearly visible and first class.

The deck bollards are heavy-duty aluminium and the same can be said about the grab rails and targa on the hardtop.

No flexing in the wide cockpit deck and the stability while drifting or while underway is impressive.

With three of us on board moving about the cockpit at rest, there was not a hint of listing.

Making our speed run through the rev range, the sharp-entry twin hulls soon had the vessel on the plane.

Each pontoon is a two-staged stepped hull, the first chine is found about 300mm from the keel.

The second and more acute chine is located just above the waterline, about 300mm at the bow and 150mm at the stern.

When underway the first chine does much of the work and as speed increases the second deflects any remaining spray quickly away and downwards from the hulls.

It’s the same story in the tunnel, and the trapped air gives the vessel lift.

Admittedly, we had a calm sea but there was no banging or thumping on our various runs to reach top speed of 73 kilometres an hour.

In fact, no surface water reached the upper section of freeboard.

The sliding side windows did an excellent job of ventilating the cabin and opening the roof vents meant greater circulation.

The paint work on the Kingfisher was top quality, off white on the interior, enough to prevent ocean glare and dark grey on the exterior hulls.

Sensibly, the half-round gunwale bumper strip was left unpainted, being the section of the boat that comes into contact first when coming alongside.

A second exterior bumper rail is welded port and starboard on the outside, along that second chine level, for the length of the cockpit to give further protection when the aft section of most boats gets blown back onto the jetty as mooring ropes are being secured. Another clever feature on this vessel.

It is clear the designers of this craft are fishers themselves.

When you step aboard and take that initial glance, the more you feel at home knowing you are on a safe, stable and very workable angling platform, capable of not only helping you bring home the catch of the day, but also heading off with the family for overnights off this huge coastline of ours, whether up north or along the south coast.

The other major factor is the hefty aluminium trailer carrying the Kingfisher 670HT.

It is custom built by Queensland company, GFAB Trailers, and it’s a monster thing.

Releasing the bow hook on launching, the Kingfisher 670HT slid off its tandem-axled cradle in seconds.

While our rig was fitted with the hand winch, the stempost is ready to fit a power winch, plus it has a built-in step for those younger people agile enough climb up and over the bow.

The chassis is made from C-sections of 6mm marine grade, high-tensile aluminium for strength, with keel rollers to carry the weight of the craft.

The company fits the New Zealand-designed UniHub bogie systems incorporating fully-enclosed bearings, so no more regreasing your wheel hubs needed.

It was a real pleasure to board the Kingfisher 670 Hard Top.

It looks bigger than its 6.75 metres and there’s ample room on board.

For those in their senior years and wanting a more stable platform, the catamaran offers that smoother ride.

The Kingfisher 670 Hard Top must be up there with the best boats I’ve reviewed.

A soft ride, plus aluminium toughness, teamed up with twin Yamaha 130hp four-strokes, means you have an economic, secure package with all you need for bluewater expeditions.   

NUTS & BOLTS

• MODEL: Kingfisher 670 Hard Top Powercat
• LENGTH: 6.75m
• BEAM: 2.49m
• DRAFT: 350mm
• BOTTOM: 5mm plate
• POWER: Twin Yamaha F130hp four-strokes
• FUEL: 2x200 litres
• MANUFACTURER: Kingfisher Boats & Powercats; Tauranga, New Zealand
• AGENT: Sportsmarine Boat Centre; 57 Strickland Street, Bunbury; Ph (08) 9721 4390; www.sportsmarine.com.au
• PRICING: $259,997 as tested. From $237,000.

PROS & CONS

PROS

• Great stability, security, large cockpit.
• Excellent fishing and family boat.
• First-class workmanship.
• Quality optional extras – anchor drum winch, bolster seats, bait tank.
• 2m-plus sleeping berths.
• Twin engine security.
• Heavy-duty custom-made aluminium trailer.

CONS

• Needs large vehicle capable of towing 2.5 tonnes.
• Excellent performance from the twin Yamaha 130hp motors but be prepared to service both.