Life is Good on the Krogen 44 - Kadey-Krogen Yachts

The Krogen 44All major systems and maintenance points on theKrogen 44 engine room are out in the open, nothidden behind panels. And reaching down understringer and limber holes, I found no ugly seams ofragged fiberglass, but rather, sanded, resin-sealededges.Nearly 100 percent of today’s Krogens comeequipped with stabilizers, not so much for stability asfor reducing the d<strong>is</strong>comfort of rolling at sea. Althoughsome serious passages, including a transatlantic trip,have been made on these boats without activestabilizers, th<strong>is</strong> lifestyle <strong>is</strong> all about comfort.How It All Fits TogetherI had the opportunity go out in some sloppyoffshore weather with Larry on Number One and seefirsthand how the boat handles and what it feels liketo move about the 44-footer under way. At hercru<strong>is</strong>ing speed of 8.5 knots, the Deere set at 1850rpm, I measured 70dBA in the saloon (cockpit doorclosed), 66dBA in the pilothouse, 67dBA in themaster stateroom (with the door closed) and 99dBAin the engine room. These measurements weretaken with air conditioning and genset off.Walking the side decks, and even at the bow, Ifound the handholds and railings just at the rightplaces and and at the right height.Leaving St. Lucie Inlet, we entered the confusedseas of the offshore coast. The stabilizers kept theboat under control, and we simply handled the seaswith ease. Kadey-Krogen knows something aboutbuilding a good seaboat, even if most Krogenowners prefer quieter waters.The new Krogen 44 <strong>is</strong> the latest to join theKadey-Krogen fleet of full-d<strong>is</strong>placement cru<strong>is</strong>ingboats, which have proved to be comfortableliveaboard trawlers for a full generation of trawlerowners. With a higher level of quality now servingas the benchmark of the company, I bet we’llcontinue to see ongoing improvements that make agood boat even better.I think it <strong>is</strong> a happy, comfortable, well-built boat. Itdoes not try to be everything to everyone, but it’sperfect for those who fit its character. While mycurrent life remains a journey at higher-thand<strong>is</strong>placementspeeds, at some point I’ll have theluxury to slow down. And that <strong>is</strong> prec<strong>is</strong>ely where, inlife’s journey, Kadey-Krogen comes in.While th<strong>is</strong> new trawler <strong>is</strong> a refinement of a classic,in every way it <strong>is</strong> a hugely improved moderninterpretation of the late Jim Krogen’s own Krogen42, Huckleberry. H<strong>is</strong> son Kurt <strong>is</strong> the driving forcebehind th<strong>is</strong> latest creation, and I imagined a certaindestiny unfolding when I learned Kurt has reserved aslot in the building schedule for a 44 of h<strong>is</strong> own. Thatsays it all; the circle will soon be complete.Congratulations, Kadey-Krogen Yachts. You hitthe mark. And I hope to one day anchor in thosesame clear waters not far off your stern, Kurt, whenmy time has come—to wiggle my toes in the warmsands of parad<strong>is</strong>e.KADEY-KROGEN 44LOA 49' 0"LWL 40' 11"BEAM 15' 6"DRAFT 4' 7"DISPLACEMENT43,140 LBS.FUEL CAPACITY850 U.S. GAL.WATER CAPACITY300 U.S. GAL.BASE PRICE $645,000FOR MORE INFORMATION:290 N. DIXIE HWY., STUART, FLORIDA, 34994800.247.1230, 772.286.0171 KADEYKROGEN.COMReprinted with perm<strong>is</strong>sion. Copyright 2005 © Trader Publ<strong>is</strong>hing Company (888.487.2953) http://www.passagemaker.com