Kingfisher 450 Minicat Centre Console
TO MY MIND the pick of the crop was the 450 Minicat Centre Console. Its layout works well, making the most of the boat’s expansive interior.
The console is relatively narrow with a canvascovered T-top, four-position rocket launcher and plenty of handholds for the boat’s occupants to grip. There’s a small console locker, largely filled by the battery, and bracket-mounted electronics behind the acrylic windscreen.
Forward, the bow lockers feature So-pac hatches for dry stowage and there are full-length side shelves. An aftermarket bait station could easily be fitted, as could a good-sized chilly bin down the middle of the boat, which could also serve duty as a seat. A single pedestal seat amidships was fitted to the test boat, but a variety of seating options are available.
The boat’s sides were wrapped in grey vinyl, which really enhances the finish and nicely complements
the colours of the Yamaha 40hp four-stroke outboard. Although at the bottom of the recommended horsepower range for this model, and with the extra weight and windage of the console to contend with, performance with this engine is satisfactory.
The rig feels nicely balanced and the handling is good, perhaps better than the Front Steer. The boat rides well and a play in the surf confirmed it is poised and capable, but also dry. The landings were soft and there was ample power to get out of trouble. Trimming the engine out gives a dry ride and the bows never looked like burying in a swell, even when we took the boats into the surf break on the beach at Matakana Island.
Compared to the Front Steer with 50hp, the Centre Console was a bit slower out of the blocks and the engine had to work harder in general, but it didn’t feel underpowered. Without a working GPS we had to guess the top speed at around 26-27 knots, a little less than the Front Steer. LEFT: The centre-console offers walkaround decks. There’s plenty of space either side of the console and access to the transom is good. Gunwale height is midthigh on the 450 models. ABOVE: So-pac hatches turn the bow lockers into dry storage and in calm conditions the foredeck would make a useful casting platform.