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Kontikis (Fishing Torpedos)

Kontikis of various types have been around for ever but most have traditionally relied on wind or wave power to get them offshore. The arrival of small waterproof electric trolling motors has allowed inventive fishermen to build battery powered kontikis that can operate in almost any conditions regardless of wind or current. These are often referred to as fishing torpedos and are becoming the fishing tackle of choice fo many land based fishermen.

There are now several commercially produced electric fishing torpedos available as well as accessories such as motorised winches and beach trundlers. While these seem to be well designed and work very well , they are not cheap by any means so the backyard tinkerers continue to build their own. There are many different designs and the commercially built models are generally made of one piece moulded plastic with fully sealed electrics. For the home builder the most popular approach seems to be a monohull design using readily available pvc plumbing fittings and commercially available motors.

 

Some examples of Kontikis available on the market today are shown here.. They are the Kentiki, Powertiki, and Challenger.The model held by Bill Hohepa at top is the Sea Horse.

 

 

Building your own Kontiki

If you aim to build your own kontiki there are several factors to consider in your design.

The motor must be powerful enough to tow your chosen length and weight of line the desired distance off shore. Typically 1000-2000 metres of 100-300lb breaking strain. Purpose built motors start at around 200 watts or 28 lb thrust. A propeller guard should be used to protect the prop from damage and and also protects your fingers and toes from the prop.

The batteries must supply sufficient current to power the motor for the desired period of time. ie a 12v 200 watt motor draws approx 17 amps. Therefore if you need to run the motor 30 minutes to drag out 1500m of line, you will need a battery that can supply 8.5 amps/hr. Batteries typically used in kontikis are sealed lead/acid and come in a variety of sizes. Some people use only one battery which has just enough power for one set of the line. In this case a timer is not really necessary as the battery just runs out of charge. Others prefer a larger battery which is regulated by a timer. This could allow two sets of the line without changing or charging the battery. The obvious drawback here is the weight penalty.

The hull must be bouyant enough to support the motor and batteries and be completely water tight, yet allow access to the switch or timer and removal of the batteries for recharging. It must be strong enough to take a battering in the waves and should be highly visible so that both you and other sea craft can see it at all times. A light should be used at night. Some designs use a keel for directional stability, a rudder so that the kontiki can be steered against wind or current, and multiple offset towing points (also for steerage) Others have only some or none of these features so it is uncertain if they are totally necessary but it would seem some that means of steerage would be desirable.

The Rules

Kontikis and fishing torpedos have proven to be a popular and productive means of fishing so to avoid falling foul of the law it would be wise to familiarise yourself with the local fishing regulations regarding fishing methods and bag and size limits. These devices tend to attract onlookers so beware, one of those people admiring your catch could be a fisheries officer.

More about kontikis on our forum