GT KONTIKI PRODUCTS

Parts of a GT Kontiki

The GT Kontiki is a world’s first – an electronically controlled longline fishing system with sophisticated point-and-go ‘autopilot’ steering that follows a pre-programmed magnetic bearing and a powerful electric motor offering 50-pounds (24kg) of thrust.

The GT Kontiki Hull

The GT Kontiki features several unique design features to make your fishing experience safer and more enjoyable and to ensure you catch more fish than your mates do.

The kontiki’s high visibility orange hull has a unique twin-fin tail section to aid stability while moving through the water. The twin fins also allow it to sit upright on the beach for easy battery installation and programming.

The sealed hull houses the GT Kontiki’s batteries, digital electronic autopilot system, LED indicator panel and stainless steel towing eye. An easy to open alloy hatch features an overlapping design and sealing system that provides total protection to the batteries and internal components. A counter weight compensates for the rotational torque of the propeller. All parts are made from corrosion-resistant materials. A fluorescent orange marker flag makes the unit easy to see in the surf and a strobe light provides visibility at night or in low light conditions.

The GT Kontiki propulsion system

The sealed, marine-grade electric motor, propeller and rudder system are bolted to the outside of the hull. A streamlined, stainless steel propeller guard protects against fouling, contact with the sand or other underwater obstructions, and helps with directional stability. The exclusive GT Kontiki high-thrust electric motor is the most powerful kontiki motor available, with more than enough punch to handle the roughest west coast seas. It features three-speed propulsion, soft-start functionality, and anti-stall overload protection. The motor’s unique hydro-dynamically shaped nose cuts through the waves, for superior performance in rough conditions. The GT Kontiki’s rudder keeps the kontiki on a pre-selected bearing. Unlike other kontikis, the GTK will not beach itself because it has strayed off course. The rudder automatically redirects the GTK to its set bearing whenever rips, currents, waves or sandbars push it off course.

GTK Batteries

The GT Kontiki’s battery bank provides the energy to propel the GT Kontiki through heavy surf, towing up to two kilometres of line and 25 baited hooks. You may run two or three batteries, depending on desired run time and sea conditions. Motor run time varies with battery charge level, motor speed and the number of batteries installed.

The GT Kontiki system comes with four 12-volt by 9-amp/hour gel batteries (three for the kontiki and one larger battery to power the winch) and four 4 Stage Smart Charger which represents the world’s most up to date technology for lead-acid type battery charging. This comes with a power board.

Based on three fully charged new GTK 12V 9Amp/hr batteries (27 Amp/hr in total), you should get between 17 to 22 min run time, which should send the GTK out between 1.2 to 1.6km, depending on the sea conditions. Please note, older batteries or not 100% fully charged batteries will reduce this run time.

Autopilot and control panel

The sophisticated magnetic compass controlled electronic autopilot system is what sets the GT Kontiki apart from all other electric kontikis. The autopilot controls the rudder keeping the GT Kontiki on a pre-programmed heading.
The user-friendly control panel displays easy to read, ultra-bright LED indicators for battery life, bearing setting confirmation, speed setting and motor run time. It is a sealed unit programmed with a handy magnetic stylus. The housing of the magnetic stylus is aluminium and has a shroud to help prevent picking up unwanted objects. It comes with a handy cord to hang around your neck or you can loop it through the handle of your GT Kontiki for safekeeping.

For safety reasons, the GT Kontiki motor will not start until the user has selected a bearing and the motor run time and speed have been set and locked.

GT Kontiki electric winch

The GTK electric winch is itself as revolutionary as the GT Kontiki is. The three-speed winch, with a pulse button, allows greater control during line retrieval and is the only kontiki winch with a remote control. The powerful, brushless, soft-start sealed electric motor requires no maintenance. It provides jerk-free retrieval of your line and an adjustable factory pre-set mechanical brake to prevent over-running.

A winch control box has simple rocker switches for winch speed – slow, medium and fast – and on-off and pulse functions. A replaceable 30-amp blade fuse protects the motor from electrical overload.

The GTK winch comes with a large capacity, 12-volt by 15-amp/hour gel battery for all day use without recharging. There is a spare 30-amp fuse inside the control box, and in the unlikely event of mechanical or electrical failure (e.g. low battery), a manual winch handle (supplied) can be used to retrieve the rig.

The sturdy aluminium winch frame quickly converts to a beach trolley with the addition of an optional GTK frame, bait board and high-quality wheels (see Optional Accessories).

GTK fishing line components

The GT Kontiki is supplied with 2000m (two kilometres) of longline. Unlike most other kontiki longlines, GTK’s 300lb (140kg) breaking strain main line (backbone) it is in one piece with no joins, knots or crimps.

It comes pre-rigged with a strop, 150m of leader, 160m of line with 80 stoppers (two metres apart) and 1690m 300lb backing line. The line is reverse-wound so it is easy to spool onto the winch drum.

Use the heavy-duty braided strop to attach the main line to the karabiner clip (supplied), which hooks onto the lug at the rear of the GT Kontiki. Do not use the GT Kontiki without the strop. The strop will help prevent the propeller cutting the main line of the GT Kontiki if it is rolled over in big surf and the line snags the propeller.

The GTK also comes with a trace board loaded with 26 traces (one spare – current New Zealand fishing regulations only permit a maximum of 25 traces per line). Each trace is equipped with a Sea Harvester clip at one end and a 5/0 circle hook on the other, retained on the board by a tough (polyethylene) plastic strip.

In addition, the kit comes with a spare set of traces. Additional standard trace sets and deluxe trace sets fitted with lumo beads and clear plastic tubing can be purchased from Hunting and Fishing NZ stores around New Zealand.

The GT Kontiki is supplied with three 300g (8oz) teardrop shaped weights, each equipped with a swivel and a Sea Harvester-style clip. Clip either one or two weights onto the front of the stopper section and one at the end. For places with strong currents, you may choose to use the optional GTK 1kg weights (available from Hunting and Fishing NZ stores).

GTK vertical beach trolley with bait board.

This handy trolley makes transporting your whole GT Kontiki setup down to the beach easy. It is simple to assemble and dismantle and comes with an easy to clean, plastic bait board. Another feature of the trolley is that it makes for easy minimalistic storage of the GTK in the garage.

GTK hand reel with foot stand

This is an optional accessory for people who do not require the GTK electric winch. The hand reel has a 3:1 winding ratio and is designed as a line holder only – the plastic drum will not take the pressure of winding in a weighted line. To retrieve line you must haul it onto the beach by hand and only use the reel to wind up the slack line. Engage the handle and wind in while guiding the line evenly onto the reel. Winding the line on under tension will split the drum and void the warranty.

Other GTK accessories

We supply a wide range of GTK line, traces, weights, batteries and spare parts for GT Kontikis. Call 0800 GTFISH for advice on getting the best set up and the best fishing spots.