The Fishing Website : Discussion Forums : Small power cat

The Fishing Website : Discussion Forums : Small power cat https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/ Sun, 07 Jun 2026 04:22:05 +0000 Thu, 04 Jul 2024 22:04:23 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 12.01 360 https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=137409 <![CDATA[The Fishing Website : Discussion Forums]]> https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_images/web_wiz_forums.png https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/ <![CDATA[Small power cat : New here, saw this thread and...]]> https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=137409&PID=1839338&title=small-power-cat#1839338 Author: XKR
Subject: 137409
Posted: 04 Jul 2024 at 10:04pm

New here, saw this thread and thought I could offer some advice as an owner of a KF510 cat but probably a bit late is it looks like the OP has sold his 450. Maybe this will help other prospective buyers

I have had the same issue as Shambles in smooth water going full noise.As some of you suggested bow steering was what I suspected but no longer believe this to be true. At speed these cats generate a lot of lift between the hulls which help keep the nose up.

Have loads of time behind the wheel of fast monos and the biting in and turning in my KF510 is exactly the same as having an unbalanced athwartship load in a mono. The difference is in a mono you just tend to lean to one side slightly and get pulled in that direction, compensated by holding the wheel to the other tack slightly which keeps you tracking straight. Easily fixed by adjusting trim tabs if you have them or shifting your load around.

This unbalanced athwartship load has a slightly different behaviour in a small cat vs a mono. When it first happened to me it was very unsettling. Thing is that you only need a very small load imbalance for one side of the sharp cat hulls to dig in and the helmsman's correcting of this on the fly starts a chine walking scenario.

]]> Thu, 04 Jul 2024 22:04:23 +0000 https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=137409&PID=1839338&title=small-power-cat#1839338 <![CDATA[Small power cat : Sorry about the very late reply,...]]> https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=137409&PID=1838547&title=small-power-cat#1838547 Author: Shambles
Subject: 137409
Posted: 05 May 2024 at 3:17pm

Sorry about the very late reply, couldn’t post for…I don’t know. Never got the hang of the cat. Had an offer from a guy that had one. Never eventuated unfortunately. I have since sold it. Loved the looks, stability at rest was second to none. I just never felt like I was in control, not predictable.
I was told by numerous people to drive it hard, like a go-cart. Tell it what you want it to do. I’m definitely not shy on the gas pedal, just didn’t feel right.]]> Sun, 05 May 2024 15:17:22 +0000 https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=137409&PID=1838547&title=small-power-cat#1838547 <![CDATA[Small power cat : I can recommend looking at the...]]> https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=137409&PID=1838546&title=small-power-cat#1838546 Author: Keith C
Subject: 137409
Posted: 05 May 2024 at 12:36pm

I can recommend looking at the Fatcat as well if you are in the market for a small cat.]]> Sun, 05 May 2024 12:36:26 +0000 https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=137409&PID=1838546&title=small-power-cat#1838546 <![CDATA[Small power cat : Following as am also looking at...]]> https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=137409&PID=1838542&title=small-power-cat#1838542 Author: D Fish N Sea
Subject: 137409
Posted: 05 May 2024 at 9:02am

Following as am also looking at one of these.]]> Sun, 05 May 2024 09:02:13 +0000 https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=137409&PID=1838542&title=small-power-cat#1838542 <![CDATA[Small power cat : Hi Shambles - Did you ever get...]]> https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=137409&PID=1838308&title=small-power-cat#1838308 Author: FishyHooker
Subject: 137409
Posted: 19 Apr 2024 at 10:15am

Hi Shambles - Did you ever get to grips with the minicat?. I'm currently looking at one and think it fits my purpose almost perfectly, but interested to know if you got on top of the handling quirks?.]]> Fri, 19 Apr 2024 10:15:35 +0000 https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=137409&PID=1838308&title=small-power-cat#1838308 <![CDATA[Small power cat : I would suggest watching the other...]]> https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=137409&PID=1831382&title=small-power-cat#1831382 Author: Kandrew
Subject: 137409
Posted: 14 Jan 2023 at 10:08pm

I would suggest watching the other small cat manufacturers videos on YouTube and see how their boats run and the hull angles they run at.

Couple of other questions, are you running a foil on the outbourd, I have had problems with them on other small boats in swells where the wave pushes up under the foil pushing the bow down making the boat bow steer.

What prop are you using, 4 blade props have more bite and give the hull a lot more lift.]]> Sat, 14 Jan 2023 22:08:47 +0000 https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=137409&PID=1831382&title=small-power-cat#1831382 <![CDATA[Small power cat : I feel I run pretty rear heavy,...]]> https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=137409&PID=1831379&title=small-power-cat#1831379 Author: Shambles
Subject: 137409
Posted: 14 Jan 2023 at 7:57pm

I feel I run pretty rear heavy, and trim accordingly. If you’re free for a run at some stage, I’d love to take you for a blat. Open to all suggestions.]]> Sat, 14 Jan 2023 19:57:58 +0000 https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=137409&PID=1831379&title=small-power-cat#1831379 <![CDATA[Small power cat : No not at all but what you are...]]> https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=137409&PID=1831378&title=small-power-cat#1831378 Author: Kandrew
Subject: 137409
Posted: 14 Jan 2023 at 7:43pm

No not at all but what you are describing is classic bow steering which means the boat is sitting to flat instead of planing on the back part of the hull.]]> Sat, 14 Jan 2023 19:43:29 +0000 https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=137409&PID=1831378&title=small-power-cat#1831378 <![CDATA[Small power cat : Thanks for your reply Kandrew....]]> https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=137409&PID=1831377&title=small-power-cat#1831377 Author: Shambles
Subject: 137409
Posted: 14 Jan 2023 at 6:33pm

Thanks for your reply Kandrew. I have pretty good trim control and understand where my cavitation plate should be while underway. The water exiting the tunnel is vastly different to water leaving the stern of a monohull. Do you have single engine cat experience?]]> Sat, 14 Jan 2023 18:33:17 +0000 https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=137409&PID=1831377&title=small-power-cat#1831377 <![CDATA[Small power cat : 60hp Honda 4stroke, centre console....]]> https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=137409&PID=1831376&title=small-power-cat#1831376 Author: Shambles
Subject: 137409
Posted: 14 Jan 2023 at 6:09pm

60hp Honda 4stroke, centre console. Usually 2 pob. I run really light but have everything on board. 2x 25l totes at the back, 1 each rear corner. Central livebait tank at the rear. Tackle in waterproof ammo boxes x12 in storage shelves just off the floor, x6 each side. Haswing trolling motor and lithium battery up front. And a 75l sturdy chillybin that usually sits centrally up front (depending on how fat my passenger is) this can also be moved port, starboard to suit. Also moved to the rear if required. ]]> Sat, 14 Jan 2023 18:09:24 +0000 https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=137409&PID=1831376&title=small-power-cat#1831376