Kadey-Krogen Yachts

Founded in 1977, Kadey-Krogen Yachts is one of the oldest manufacturers of long-range capable, recreational trawler yachts in the U.S.[1] Their vessels are closely linked in naval design to the historic fishing trawlers of the North Sea and have the capability to cross any ocean. Kadey-Krogen Yachts is a semi-custom builder and manufactures 10-15 yachts per year.Six models are currently offered, ranging in size from 44 to 58 feet (13 to 18 m) with new models on the drawing board.

Kadey-Krogen Yachts
Private
IndustryMarine
Founded1977 by Art Kadey, Jim Krogen
HeadquartersStuart, Florida
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Tom Button (president)
Larry Polster (vice president)
Tucker West (vice president)
ProductsRecreational trawlers in the 39-to-64-foot (12 to 20 m) range
Number of employees
15 (2016)
Websitewww.kadeykrogen.com

Defining aspects of the Kadey-Krogen trawler yacht are a pure full displacement hull, a fine forward entry, a wineglass transom, a fully covered aft deck which functions as the back porch, and high quality interior joinery predominantly in teak or cherry with other selections available. Their design enables the yachts to make ocean passages in comfort and safety. Owners of Kadey-Krogen trawler yachts have reported crossing the Atlantic,[2] Pacific and Indian oceans, and the Mediterranean Sea.

Kadey-Krogen is headquartered in Stuart, Florida, with other offices in Annapolis, Portsmouth, RI and Seattle. Unlike the majority of boat manufacturers, the company does not use a dealership network, but instead works directly with customers. Since 1991 the company's boats have been built at a dedicated yard in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Kadey-Krogens are sold direct through an in-house sales team.

Kadey-Krogen's yachts are often used as liveaboard vessels.[3] According to company estimates, up to 75-percent of owners are part- or full-time liveaboards. While most owners have or are in the process of retiring, many continue to work and utilize their last few years working to take small trip and get acquainted with their boat and the lifestyle.

History

Based upon this design, the two incorporated as Kadey-Krogen Yachts and began to produce the Krogen 42’. Over the past 36 years Kadey-Krogen Yachts has designed and built 14 different models ranging from 36’ – 58’. Six different models are available as “current production” with several others on the drawing board.

The company was founded in 1977 by Art Kadey and Jim Krogen. Art Kadey died in 1981 and Jim Krogen in December 1994. From 1995 until 2006 the company was owned by some of Jim’s children and their business partners. In 2006, ownership of the company was transferred to John Gear, Larry Polster, and Tom Button.

Hull form

All Kadey-Krogens are built using their exclusive Pure Full Displacement hull characterized by a moderate displacement-to-length ratio, a fine entry, and end-to-end symmetry including the signature “wineglass” transom. The Pure Full Displacement hull is differentiated from other hulls based upon two form fundamentals: longitudinal symmetry and displacement to length ratio (D/L). Longitudinal symmetry refers to the degree to which the stern shape matches the bow shape. A barge is highly symmetrical and seaworthy but does not have ideal longitudinal symmetry and therefore is not very sea kindly. A hull with good symmetry will have V-shaped sections and sharp waterlines at both ends.

There are four characteristics of a vessel with a symmetrical hull form.

  1. A fine entry which contributes to wave cutting ability and less pounding in head seas.
  2. A symmetrical form that has a fine stern tracks better in a following sea. Basic physics dictates that for every wave action force on the hull there is an equal and opposite reaction of force on the water. A V-shaped section aft will deflect a large portion of wave energy resulting in straighter tracking. A flatter hull shapes will direct nearly all of the wave force back vertically on the opposite side of the boat. Hull edges will dig in, much like a slalom water ski or snow ski, causing the boat to corkscrew through the water.
  3. The aft V-shaped sections also offer less resistance and drag than the broad waterlines of asymmetrical hulls which results in better fuel economy.
  4. Symmetrical forms roll less. The leverage (upward force) that wave action has on the flatter sections is greater than on a hull that is more tapered. The upward force on one side creates a downward force on the other side which is roll.

The displacement-to-length ratio (D/L) indicates whether a given displacement is carried over a long waterline length or a short one. It reflects the load the vessel has to carry on a per-foot of waterline basis. Lower ratios tend towards lean and slippery forms with fine ends, and higher ratios tend towards full-bodied and less efficient forms with blunter ends. A lighter load per foot of waterline length results in better fuel economy and range.

A vessel with a long waterline and low D/L (those in the 260-325 range) can be compared to a bank account earning compounded interest. Reducing D/L yields a more easily driven hull form thereby improving fuel economy and allowing for the use of smaller engines. The improved economy reduces the weight of fuel that must be carried for the desired range and the use of lower horsepower engines will reduce the weight of propulsion machinery. All this weight reduction now results in even greater fuel economy resulting in more weight savings resulting in even better economy, and so the benefits compound.

To ensure that strength is not compromised by this weight savings approach, Kadey-Krogen uses massive stem-to-stern fiberglass girders that are closely spaced for effective distribution of hull loads to bulkheads, and encapsulated mahogany girder inserts that allow equipment to be attached for maximum strength and reliability. Cast lead (as opposed to iron) ballast conforms to the keel contour and is concentrated low in the hull so less ballast material is required and weight is reduced. Deckhouse and hull topsides are of cored laminates for reduced weight, lower center of gravity, thermal insulation and strength. Critical areas are reinforced with an impact-resistant fiberglass mat containing Twaron, which is the same fiber used to give body armor "bullet-proof" capability. Twaron is an aramid fiber that is five times stronger than steel and up to 60% lighter than ballistic steel. Kadey-Krogen is the only builder of trawlers who provides this level of hull reinforcement.


References
  1. "The Legacy of Kadey-Krogen Yachts," PassageMaker Magazine, December 2002
  2. "Canadian Ambassadors," PassageMaker Magazine, July/August 2010
  3. Lori Becker (October 15, 2007). "Creeping Happily Along the Waterways" (PDF). Miami Herald.
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