Kingfisher 730 Powercat 2024 Review

This terrific new sports fishing trailer boat is paired with twin Yamaha 200hp four-stroke outboards to deliver excellent performance.

Kingfisher made its way across the Tasman from New Zealand in 2023, launching at the Sanctuary Cove International Boat show with Queensland dealer, Wynnum Marine.

The first Kingfisher models in Australia were single-engine centre console cats in 4.5m, 5.1m and 5.7m lengths.  

More than 12 months on, the Kingfisher brand is gaining traction as anglers and powered catamaran enthusiasts acknowledge the quality of these innovative craft.

At the 2024 Sanctuary Cove Boat Show, Wynnum Marine presented several larger Kingfisher models – including the brand new, twin-outboard 730 Powercat hardtop.

We spent some time on the water with Kingfisher’s new offshore cat, with the test rig paired with twin Yamaha 200hp extra-longshaft outboard engines.

The 730 Powercat is now Kingfisher’s biggest trailerable powered catamaran, replacing the 620 series as the trailer boat flagship. 

Larger, wide-beam Kingfisher cats are also available in sizes through to 14m for both recreational and custom commercial boating applications.

Remarkably, Kingfisher also has a full line-up of plate-alloy monohull boats from 4.0m to 10.0m in length – although still no access to those boats in Australia.

The Kingfisher 730 Powercat is available with or without a fully enclosed, lockable wheelhouse.

Our test boat was the open version with the helm station enclosed on three sides, complete with a view-enhancing single-piece front windscreen and sliding cabin side windows.

Package pricing for the Kingfisher 730 Powercat HT starts at $257,539 and includes dual counter-rotating Yamaha 150hp extra-longshaft outboards with digital electronic controls and electric power steering; a Yamaha CL5 engine display; Evolution 3500kg rated custom trailer with electric-hydraulic brakes; dual cranking batteries; dual house batteries; safety gear pack; and boat and trailer registrations.

Inside the boat there is plenty of factory kit as well – too much to list here, but scroll to the bottom of this review to view all of the standard inclusions. 

Our test boat was set-up for display at the 2024 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show. It was accordingly loaded with cool options, features and accessories.

Electronics gear included Garmin 8416xsv and 8412xsv multi-function displays with Airmar and Garmin through-hull transducers; Garmin GMR Fantom Radar with Motionscope; Garmin 215i VHF radio; Fusion RA210 Stereo with four speakers; and a ROKK wireless phone charger.

Optional fishing features included a transom live bait tank; port-side bait board with tackle drawer and fishing tools; raw water deck wash; starboard-side custom Plaztek tackle station with drawers; Plaztek tool, pole and gaff holders; Kilwell outrigger bases and poles; plumbed sub-floor kill tanks; extra rod holders; transom sink with tap and 50L freshwater tank.

Elsewhere, the test boat was optioned with an upgraded Maxwell drum winch, U-Dek flooring upgrade; metallic hull side paint upgrade; extra cleats; two windshield wipers; additional deck lights; underwater and under-gunnel lighting; electric toilet; custom port-side wheelhouse seating with dinette; transom door; Travel Buddy pie oven; Icey-Tek ice box upgrade (115L and 90L); and more.

With the above extra kit, and paired with larger Yamaha F200 four-stroke outboards, Yamaha’s full Helm Master EX navigation and joystick control system, and an upgraded GFab tri-axle aluminium braked trailer, the driveway package price rises to $376,253.

The Kingfisher 730 has a maximum length of 7.3m and an Aussie road-legal towing width of 2.49m.

The bare hull weighs about 2000kg, while the wet towing wet for the heavily optioned test boat is 3500kg when paired with the standard Evolution tandem axle trailer – but rising to about 3600kg on the premium GFab tri-axle braked alloy trailer.

Either way, the Kingfisher 730 is no light weight: you’ll need a Dodge Ram/Chevy Silverado size vehicle to haul this big rig on the highway. 

Below the waterline, the Kingfisher 730 has symmetric shaped sponsons with a very fine bow entry shape.

Inner and outer chine flats run all the way aft to provide lift at speed, stability at rest.

The topsides are tall and there is a pronounced sheer to the deck-line that’s designed to keep spray at bay – and to give the boat a tough-looking stance on the water.

The 730 Powercat is made using 5mm welded plate alloy for the hull and transom, 4mm for the topsides, cabin and self-draining cockpit floor.

Related: Top 10 trailer boats of the 2024 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show

Our Kingfisher 730 test boat had an open plan layout so that you can walk right through from the cockpit to the front cabin where there is a full width double berth.

The double berth is 1.83m long x 1.42m wide, and upholstered using a patterned (stain hiding) brown cloth material.

Beneath the berth there are storage lockers, as well as provision for the optional toilet on the starboard side.

Lack of privacy will be an issue when using the toilet, as there is no cabin bulkhead. However, I am pleased that Kingfisher has at least made a toilet available.

To use the toilet, you need to remove the starboard side berth cushion and the centre infill cushion/board.

Surprisingly, given the Kingfisher has something of a working boat vibe, there is carpet lining the cabin ceiling and surrounds – which warms up the interior.

Access to the front anchorwell (and included Maxwell drum winch) is via the exterior cabin sides, rather than through a cabin hatch.

The helm station is nicely setup with a full width dash beneath the one-piece toughened glass windshield which provides an unrestricted view for the skipper.

The helm fascia/instrument panel is not as large as some I have seen recently, but it is big enough to flush-fit a 16-inch display – such as the Garmin 8416xsv optioned to our test boat.

A second Garmin display was bracket-mounted in the centre of the dash, above an optional Travel Buddy pie oven to port and a very handy full width welded grab rail.

The helm dash/fascia panel might be modest in size, but provision is made to comfortably fit Yamaha’s digital binnacle throttle controls, along with a Yamaha Joystick to operate the optional Helm Master EX boat control system.

Sliding side windows channel cooling air into the wheel house when required.

Overhead, beneath the hardtop, there is provision for radio head units, stereo speakers, lighting, dual full-length ceiling handrails and cockpit spreader lights out back.

The hardtop itself is sturdy and rigid. There was no movement or vibration when underway.

The hardtop is also used as a mounting base for the optional Kilwell outriggers, Garmin radar, navigation lights, radio aerials, and a nine-rod rocket launcher rod-rack.

The Kingfisher comes standard with box-mounted bucket helm chairs, but our test boat was optioned with a Plaztek tackle station behind the starboard side helm chair/storage box, and a clever seat/dinette arrangement for the crew opposite.  

With removable and repositionable backrests, the port side seating layout can be configured as a chaise-style lounge, a two-person dinette with adjustable height table – or as a pair of forward- or aft-facing single seats with backrests.

Both port and starboard side seat boxes allowed for the fitment of the upgraded, split-lid Icey-Tek ice boxes – which slide out into the cockpit.

The large, U-Dek surfaced self-draining cockpit stretches 1.95m aft of the helm seats back to a full height transom wall.

The cockpit is flanked by 2.35m-wide side coamings and a two-tier side-storage pocket setup that extends the length of the cockpit.

The lower side pockets are comfortably above the floor (to provide toe/foot support underneath) and incorporate a horizontal rod storage rack.

Two large, sub-floor kill tanks provide more storage, and/or space to ice-down the day’s catch.

Other features/options included a Plaztek bait board with drawers, starboard-side sink with faucet and freshwater tank, multiple welded rod holders and cup holders, a casting/swim cage out back, elevated transom battery/storage compartments, and a live bait tank built into the centre transom boarding step/walkway.

The bait tank is sufficient in size and shape, but it did have a rigging tube running across the top of it – which may cause bruising/irritation to live baits.

The Kingfisher 730HT is a fun, fast offshore fishing boat – especially when paired with the twin 200hp Yamaha extra-longshaft outboards.

We clocked a top speed of 43.8 knots with two adults onboard and with full fuel and water.

More significantly perhaps, the Kingfisher is quick offshore – in the sense that the very smooth, cushioned ride and balanced handling allows for a high cruise speed in mild to moderate conditions.

The 730HT is also very solid, stable – and drier than many other cats I have tested in the 6.5-8.0m size range.

Like most cats, the Kingfisher runs best with the engines trimmed out/up to allow air flow into the tunnel to generate lift.

That said, the big cat is responsive to power trim so you can lift or lower the nose easily to suit the sea conditions.

At displacement speeds, the Kingfisher sits solid and secure in the water. However, this model does not have a tunnel “wave-breaker” fairing/pod so there is some tunnel wave slap when slow trolling directly into a headsea.

Overall, the Kingfisher 730 delivers the goods with regard to handling, ride and performance.

I’d happily run this boat to the wide offshore canyon fishing grounds, safe in the knowledge that it’s capable of dealing with the rough stuff and getting me home safely.

REVS   SPEED FUEL USE        RANGE

1000     4.4kt (8.1km/h)  6.0L/h   306.5nm

1500     5.6kt (10.4km/h) 10.0L/h 234.1nm

2000     6.9kt (12.8km/h) 15.5L/h 186.1nm

2500     10.8kt (20.0km/h)          24.4L/h 185.0nm

3000     16.4kt (30.3km/h)          29.7L/h 178.1nm

3500     21.7kt (40.1km/h)          38.5L/h 235.6nm

4000     26.7kt (49.4km/h)          48.5L/h 230.1nm

4500     31.0kt (57.3km/h)          64.5L/h 200.9nm

5000     35.3kt (65.3km/h)          86.7L/h 170.2nm

5500     38.7kt (71.6km/h)          101.3L/h           159.7nm

5700     43.8kt (81.0km/h)          145.0L/h           126.3nm

Range on 95 per cent of the 440L fuel supply at 3500rpm: 235.6nm

The Kingfisher 730 Hardtop is an excellent powered catamaran, and a superb fishing trailer boat.

It’s not cheap with all the optional gear and equipment fitted, but as tested the Kingfisher is ready to go offshore to do battle with everything from mackerel to marlin.

Would I have one? In a heartbeat.

Model: Kingfisher 730 Powercat

Length overall: 7.3m

Beam: 2.49m

Hull weight: 2000kg (approx)

Towing weight: 3500kg (approx)

Hull and transom alloy: 5mm

Topsides alloy: 4mm

Maximum power: 2 x 200hp outboards

Maximum engine weight: 240kg (each engine)

Engine as tested: Twin Yamaha 200hp four-stroke extra-longshaft outboards

Fuel: 2 x 220L

Passengers: 10

Priced from: $257,539 including dual counter-rotating Yamaha 150hp extra-longshaft outboards with digital electronic controls and electric power steering; Yamaha CL5 engine display; an Evolution 3500kg rated custom trailer with electric-hydraulic brakes; dual cranking batteries; dual house batteries; hardtop with one-piece windshield, sliding side windows, rocket launcher rod-rack and electronics box; swivelling bolster helm chairs with footrests; 2 x Icey-Tek 70L ice boxes; cabin berth cushions and infill extensions; carpet lining to cabin; Octigrip deck tread flooring; 4 x drink holders and built-in rod holders; interior lighting; underfloor storage; side storage shelving; anchor locker with electric drum winch and rode; transom swim/casting cage with ladder; boarding platforms; painted hull and cabin top; safety gear pack; boat and trailer registrations.

Price as tested: $376,253. As above but with dual Yamaha 200hp four-stroke outboards; Yamaha’s full Helm Master EX navigation and joystick control system; upgraded GFab custom aluminium tri-axle braked trailer (4500kg ATM); Garmin 8416xsv and 8412xsv multi-function displays with Airmar and Garmin through-hull transducers; Garmin GMR Fantom Radar 24x 50W HD with MotionScope; Garmin 215i VHF radio; Fusion RA210 Stereo with four speakers; ROKK wireless phone charger; transom live bait tank in walk-through; port side bait board with tackle drawer; raw water deck wash; starboard side custom Plaztek tackle station with drawers; Plaztek tool, pole and gaff holders; Kilwell outrigger bases and poles; custom plumbed sub-floor kill tanks; extra rod holders; transom sink with tap and 50L freshwater tank; upgraded Maxwell drum winch, U-Dek flooring upgrade; metallic hull side paint upgrade; extra cleats; two windshield wipers; additional deck lights; underwater and under-gunnel lighting; electric toilet; custom port-side wheelhouse seating with dinette; transom door; Travel Buddy pie oven; Icey-Tek ice box upgrade (115L and 90L).

Supplied by: Wynnum Marine