An independent review of the Powertiki Pt 400 model

By Grant Dixon

There is no doubt the range of electric kontikis is both expanding and becoming a great deal more sophisticated and efficient.

One of the latest offerings is the Powertiki 400 produced by Colin Gatland and NZ Kontikis. Colins' manufacturing is based in the Waikato.

Colin has been manufacturing electric kontikis for a number of years now, and last year quit his regular job to go into Powertiki production fulltime.

All Colins previous models have been based around a plastic plumbers pipe body. The Powertiki 400 goes away from this.

In its place Colin has created a rotationally-moulded polyethylene body that has been produced with achieving maximum efficiency, durability and watertightness in mind.

It is designed to reduce drag and to track straight through the surf during setting, while the bow-like stern section reduces drag on the retrieve. Instead of removing an end cap to get at the battery and timing systems, the Powertiki electric kontiki has a marine-style sealed inspection hatch in the top of the body to access the inner workings.

All the external fittings, such as the rudder and prop guard, are screwed into stainless-steel-threaded inserts moulded into the kontikis body, thus maintaining its watertight integrity, and a handle is moulded as an integral part of the body at the point of balance, making carrying easier. The timer itself is an electronic one, with a digital display replacing the standard dial-up mechanical version.

A waterproof switch on top of the body activates the timer, once set. The required amount of time can be set on dry land, and when the operator goes to launch the Powertiki into the tide, the timer automatically starts when the motor is flicked on by the on/off button.

The timer and battery level indicator can also be viewed through the clear hatch cover.

Driving the Powertiki 400 is a Mercury Marine electric motor unit that produces 30 pound of thrust which is actually a pull, as the prop is at the front of the Powertiki, pulling it through the water. This action, combined with a rudder behind it and the towed weight, ensures a straight path through the surf and beyond.

During the tackle test at Kawhias Ocean Beach, the Powertiki pulled a baited 25- hook set and 500g sinker through the half metre of surf with no problems, taking the line out at a rate of around 90 metres a minute.

The timer was set for 15 minutes and the beach reel, containing 1500 metres of line, was almost spooled by the time the motor shut down. Power is produced via two seven-ampere batteries, a step up from the single 12-ampere battery used in previous models.

The Powertiki 400 is produced in a high-viz yellow, and an orange flag and a low, light-activated strobe light has been added to make the unit more apparent, both by day and night.

Another addition to the Powertiki product ranks is a beach trolley. This features a basic fish bin set onto a lightweight aluminium frame supported by two wide wheels for pulling through the sand. It has a snug base on which to rest the Powertiki unit itself, along with a trace board that can double as a seat or a filleting bench.

The handle is removable, making it easy to fit into a standard car boot or hatchback. Colin has come up with a system similar to that used by commercial longliners for the deployment of the traces. The board is slotted on either end. The beach trolley is set facing the water and as each clip is attached to the backbone, the hook is pulled free from the other end and sent safely on its way.

It is one of the most efficient recreational longlining systems I have seen. While the theory is all very well, it is the practical application that counts, and in this department the Powertiki 400 gets the big tick.

In the space of two hours we did two sets, producing a total of 16 legal snapper, several kahawai, a small ray and a dogfish. Helpers representing five families each went home with a good feed of fresh fish, all for minimal effort.

There was a light half-metre surf tumbling on the beach and we set it out through a gutter, but the Powertiki took the white water in its stride, its low profile and powerful motor ensuring it tracked straight out through the surf, and if it looked like straying off course, a bit of pressure on the line brought it back on track. Colin assures me it will perform similarly in surf of two metres plus.

Electric kontikis are an efficient and fun way to target a fish meal off the beach.

The units require a minimum of maintenance, and the outlay, when compared with a boat, is minimal, especially when shared among two or more operators.

Electric konitiki fishing can be a social and enjoyable activity for families to do.

In summing up, I was impressed with the performance of the Powertiki 400 and beach-trolley combo.

It was easy to use, set and retrieve, and best of all we caught fish!