Fans of long-distance cruising—those who prize vessels designed to navigate open water comfortably and efficiently—know Kadey-Krogen Yachts. The company has been building trawlers since 1977, and its first bluewater cruiser, the Krogen 42, earned a reputation as a classic voyaging platform. The design concepts that made that 42 so successful have been reinvested in every subsequent model.
The Krogen 42, and later the Krogen 48 North Sea, came from the drawing board of the late James S. Krogen. He was a naval architect and designer by trade, a man who took his inspiration from commercial fishing vessels, most notably shrimp boats, which were designed to be safe, all-weather platforms at sea. Like the original Krogen 42, all Kadey-Krogens built today have a 3,000-nautical-mile cruising range. That includes the Krogen 50 Open, the builder’s newest model.
“Part of the concept for the Krogen 50 Open was to attract a new kind of customer with contemporary styling,” said Vice President of Kadey-Krogen Yachts, Larry Polster. “This boat is not meant to replace any of the models in our raised pilothouse line of trawler yachts, but it offers an open interior layout that appeals to some owners who want a less traditional arrangement.” Larry and his wife, Janet, were so enthusiastic about the new style that they bought Hull No. 1 and named it Together.
2019 Kadey-Krogen 50 Open
At first glance, the new 50 Open shares the design DNA made popular in Kadey-Krogen’s line of raised pilothouse trawler yachts, with a high bow to handle big waves, a Portuguese bridge to add protection from boarding seas and an upswept sheer that promotes drainage aft. Because the portion of the deckhouse housing the salon and galley is carried out to the port hull side, the starboard walkway, with its high bulwarks and stainless steel handrails, is the way to move most safely from the teak-planked aft deck to the foredeck.
When you step through the sliding bulkhead door aft, you immediately notice the difference between this design and that traditional layout. The interior of the deckhouse is open from the salon to the pilothouse, creating an appealing sense of spaciousness. The salon and galley are on the same level, and there’s only one step up to the pilothouse deck. And whether you’re sitting in the salon or working in the galley, the sightlines are dramatic. “The Open concept illuminates the interior so much more,” Janet said. “And these salon windows are larger all around, so we get excellent visibility underway, and better views when we’re at anchor.”
While a teak interior is available, the selection of cherry—used for solid doors, valances and the custom fold-out table in the salon—adds a bright, modern feel to Together. I particularly liked the cherry-and-spruce sole planking, which gives a contemporary twist to traditional teak-and-holly trawler yacht floors.
Four oversized Man Ship stainless steel opening ports (three in the three-cabin layout) add light and natural ventilation amidships as warranted, and there is a waterproof door with a viewing port in the aft bulkhead leading into the engine room. Overhead clearance in the engine room is impressive, as is the space around the single diesel engine. No question, there’s more than enough room for twin engines here (offered as an option), yet even with two diesels, you won’t have to compromise access to the standard 12-kilowatt Northern Lights genset for routine checks or occasional maintenance. —John Wooldridge
Kadey-Krogen Yachts, 772-286-0171; kadeykrogen.com
LOA: 52’9”
BEAM: 17’5”
DRAFT: 5’4”
DISPL.: 68,000 lbs.
FUEL: 1,240 gal.
WATER: 400 gal.
Std. POWER: 1/230-hp John Deere 6068AFM85
Opt. POWER: 2/125-hp John Deere 4045TFM85
PRICE: $1,549,000