Kingfisher spreads its wings overseas

Now working in Western Samoa, the 9m Kingfisher can do 46 knots with two Yamaha 225hp, four-stroke outboards. Photo / Supplied

A Mt Maunganui company is enjoying success both here and overseas with its range of smart-looking Kingfisher aluminium power-cats.

Late last year Alloy Cats launched a 9.15m Kim Bertelsen-designed Kingfisher specially built for a game fishing charter operation in Western Samoa. It was the second of the 9m to 10m designs to be launched, the first having been commissioned for the Tauranga harbourmaster. Two more are nearing completion, one of which is a 10m version for charter work in Tonga.

Bertelsen says the new designs are soft-riding and extremely stable.

The boats have a 6mm bottom, 5mm topsides and 3mm to 4mm superstructure and generous stringer and frame spacings ensure very strong hull and wing-deck areas.

The painted interior has lightweight wall carpeting and a teak trim around the recessed dash.

The Kingfisher 900 now working in Samoa is powered by a pair of Yamaha 225hp four-strokes and returns a top speed of 46 knots with a comfortable cruising speed of anywhere from 20 to 30 knots. Displacement is 4000kg fully loaded.

Bertelsen says the company is also enjoying success with its larger Kingfisher power-cat models. These include an 11m ferry on Lake Rotorua, a 1m flybridge model and a 15m version with an aft cabin.

Bertelsen, a former aircraft engineer, also designed and built the company's range of pontoon Lazy Days houseboats and function boats. Alloy Cats has also built Roger Hill's range of aluminium power-cats.