S60 Kontiki

Product Details

The NEW Seahorse™ S60 Kontiki Is the Next Generation Of Kontiki Fishing Systems.

The Seahorse S60 Kontiki is a new design from the ground up. The aim was to make it the best Seahorse Kontiki possible. We looked at our existing models, took the best features from each one and built them into a new Kontiki. There are new features to make your Kontiki safer and to allow Seahorse to provide a better service to you, the user.

The new S60 has kept these features and now includes increased performance, distance and improved steering. There is a new control unit with integrated autopilot and GPS tracker. The Kontiki is controlled by an App that will run on either Android or Apple phones.

The Seahorse S60 Kontiki has taken the concept developed with the Seahorse S30 and S33 and taken it to the next level. The two lithium batteries enable the 46lb thrust Motor to produce nearly 10% more thrust than with SLA batteries. This makes the S60 an extremely versatile machine with the power to tackle any conditions.

The S60 has been designed to be powerful and lightweight. The Kontiki separates into two parts 750mm long. This makes for easy storage. When connected together, the S60 is 1.5 metres long. This length improves the directional stability and seakeeping abilities. It allows better placement of the motor and positioning of the rudder. The rudder is further forward, giving more turning power and this allows the Kontiki to hold a better course.

The catch and hinge have been designed to give a wide stable connection between the body and tail. The two latches are used to hold the Kontiki closed. This reduces the load on the latches and it spreads the pressure applied to the seal more evenly over the whole seal. The seal has a locating groove. This allows the sealing ridge of the body to have a larger sealing surface ensuring a watertight seal. The tail of the S60 Kontiki has been designed to allow the thrust from the motor to pass cleanly below the body of the Kontiki. The wide whale tail gives stability allowing the S60 to stand on the beach or in the garage. The wide tail also allows the towpoint to be offset to counter the torque pull of the motor. The body of the Kontiki can also stand by leaning it back onto the hinge.

The design of the S60 body is a development of the continuous line of Seahorse Kontikis since 2001. Each has been a development of the knowledge gained from the previous designs, which has been adapted for the requirements of the newly available technology. The S60 is bringing together the best of Kontiki design, GPS technology, cellphone communications and lithium batteries

The Chisel bow allows the S60 to smoothly cut through the waves. The high conning tower houses the control unit, the GPS receiver and the cell antenna to maximise their ability to communicate. The handle is narrow and comfortable to use. In many ways, the Seahorse S60 is establishing a new level of performance for Kotnikis.

Batteries

The Seahorse S60 uses two lithium batteries. There are many different types of lithium batteries with different chemistry, producing different voltages and discharge rates. The Seahorse batteries have been designed to maximise performance while meeting the current draw demands of the Kontiki. The Black lithium battery is the recommended battery for the Seahorse S60. These have been developed to cope with the special requirements of Kontiki fishing. These lithium batteries supply approx. 10% more power than Lead Acid (SLA) batteries, meaning the motor will produce 10% more thrust. The Black lithium battery will run the Kontiki for up to 30 minutes and these batteries will meet the needs of most Kontiki fishers.

GPS Tracking and Telemetry System

Seahorse has built the GPS tracker into the heart of the Kontikis Control Unit, meaning if someone steals your Seahorse Kontiki, it cannot be removed without destroying the Kontiki itself. Existing stand-alone trackers can be found and removed from the Kontiki. The built-in backup battery gives many hours of extended tracking after the main battery has been disconnected.

In addition to transmitting the GPS tracking location from the Kontiki, the Control Unit also transmits the performance telemetry of the Kontiki back to the main server. This includes the speed and direction of the Kontiki, voltage and current drawn from the batteries plus other information allowing the performance of the Kontiki to be reviewed by a Seahorse technician.

The GPS Tracking and Telemetry data capture are only possible with a GSM Cellular (cellphone) network connection. The cellular connection allows the position and data to be transmitted from the Kontiki to the cloud and back to the App on your phone. It also allows commands such as STOP to be sent from the App via the Cloud to the Kontiki. If either the Kontiki or your phone does not have a connection, then this communication cannot happen. If there is no cellphone coverage, the Kontiki will store the data which will be transmitted once cellphone coverage is regained.

It is possible to change the status of the Kontiki to lost or stolen. The lost mode will minimise power usage to maximise the length of time the GPS tracker can work and provide tracking information. As with all trackers, it can only work on the surface (GPS will not work underwater) and the Kontiki will need to be within cellphone coverage. You will also need cellphone coverage where you are and mobile data turned on to receive the information. The stolen mode will activate the GPS tracker to report and it will disable your Kontiki so no one can operate it. The GPS Location should assist the police to recover the Kontiki and once it is recovered, you can re-activate it so you can go fishing.

With the App, we can link you to your Kontiki meaning only you and no one else (unless you share them) will have access to these advanced features. If the Kontiki is jointly owned, then the other owners can be added to the Kontiki and they will have access to the advanced features. If you allow someone to borrow your new S60 Kontiki, they can download the App and access the basic start/stop and set the time in 5 minutes intervals. If you are feeling generous, you can share the advanced features with them. Afterwards, you can remove their access.

Seahorse will be continuously updating and improving the performance and features available. As new ideas and developments come online, Seahorse will be able to send updates directly to your Kontiki to ensure it is always operating with the latest and greatest software and features.

If you sell or dispose of your S60 Kontiki, the details of the new owner can be entered into the App and the Seahorse records can be updated.

GPS Autopilot

The GPS-controlled Autopilot system is a development of the earlier Seahorse autopilot systems. The improved hardware gets a faster and more accurate position lock. The improved steering algorithms have improved the directional stability and the ability to hold a course towards the waypoint.

The course is set by starting the motor on the beach and walking approximately 10 metres in the direction you wish the Kontiki to travel in and the GPS Autopilot system will calculate the direction you are walking and set a waypoint 3 km out in that direction. At that stage, the rudder will centre itself (because you are moving in the correct direction) and this is confirmation of the course is set. There will also be a status update on the App to Active.

Once the Kontiki is launched, the GPS Autopilot will steer the S60 Kontiki towards the waypoint. If a current tries to pull the Kontiki along the beach, the GPS Autopilot will turn the S60 Kontiki into the current so it stays heading towards the waypoint. Once the run is complete, the GPS Autopilot will turn off and the rudder will be held in a central position to minimise the chances of it being damaged. if there is a strong current running along the coast, we have found setting the course slightly into the current gives a better result than going straight out across the current.

Subscription for the Advanced Features

Every new Seahorse S60 Kontiki comes with six months of free access to the advanced features from the date of purchase. After that, there is a small annual subscription to cover the costs involved in running the tracker and central server. The payment is done by either credit card or direct debit payment.

If you let the subscription lapse or has been cancelled, the advanced features can be re-connected in the future, but this involves a re-connection fee.