On a late winter afternoon, we tested the new Krogen 58 in Seattle with Greg Matthes of Passage Maker Yachts, the West Coast dealer for Krogen yachts.  Matthes began by demonstrating a canny ability to maneuver the boat in tight quarters with a stiff-and very cold- breeze dead on the beam.  The sky was overcast and the temperature was so low that the weatherman couldn’t decide whether to predict snow or rain.
     “That’s where the wing station comes in handy,” Matthes told us, through chattering teeth.  Positioned to starboard at the rail, with winds gusting to 15 knots, he effortlessly and patiently negotiated a tight spot between two large yachts.
     Upon reaching our testing ground on Lake Washington, we found lumpy seas and the same stiff breeze.
     No problem.  We took the cowardly approach and sought refuge in the warmth of our boat’s spacious pilothouse, as we motored to a position near Bill Gates’ mansion-to-top-all-mansions.
     The Krogen 58 has an 18 foot beam – and there was room enough on our test boat for seven passengers to relax comfortably in a space large enough to include a table and an L-shaped settee that converts to a berth.
     Matthes occupied a Stidd helm chair while scanning the horizon through a trio of forward-sloping windshields that add to the feeling of spaciousness.  A 48 by 30 inch chart table adds functional space for navigation, within easy reach of the helm.
     Adding to the comfort level were Freeman watertight doors, which prevented even a hint of wind from intruding the space on this blustery day.  On warmer days, the double doors open to invite warm breezes inside.
     Considering the additional space afforded by a 17 by 14 foot main saloon, a cockpit as large as a back porch and even more room on the bow, keeping crowds to a manageable size may prove to be a challenge for the skipper of this yacht.

THE COMPANY
     Kadey-Krogen Yachts was founded 25 years ago by Art Kadey and Jim Krogen.  Kadey was a visionary who dreamed of building liveaboard trawlers.  Krogen was a designer whose name is most often associated with cruising boats, although he has created the lines for more than 700 commercial vessels and pleasure boats, in all.
     Since Krogen’s son Kurt took over the business six years ago, all of the models have undergone equipment and feature upgrades.
     The company’s lineup currently consists of a one-stateroom 39-footer; a two-stateroom 48 North Sea model and the recently introduced Krogen 58.
     “We consider the new model the flagship of a line of displacement trawlers, designed to cross vast expanses of salt water,” Kurt Krogen explained.  “We wanted to bring everything to a new level: design, equipment and execution.”

WHAT’S NEW?

     “We based this boat on one of my father’s designs-a 60 foot commercial trawler,” Kurt said.  “We wanted it to be big enough for a Portuguese bridge, and designed it so the bridge flows into the boat deck.  Our customers told us they wanted a comfortable flybridge.”
     Why did they opt for a displacement hull for the new 58?  In three words – comfort, economy and safety.
     The 18 foot beam provides a high level of stability and produces enormous spaces below decks.  Jim Krogen has said that round hulls have the same form stability as a floating log.  To that end, his designs have incorporated flatter hull sections that sweep up to the stern.
     From a safety standpoint, “the design will produce a self-righting moment after an 85 degree roll,” aided by twin keels that add roll dampening, while protecting the twin propellers, Kurt Krogen said.
 

CONSTRUCTION
     Krogen’s yachts are constructed at Asia Harbor Yacht Co. in Taiwan under the direction of Miguel Rios, Krogen’s vice president of operations.
     The bottom of the hull is laid with solid fiberglass and a layer of vinylester resin to prevent osmotic blistering.  Kevlar reinforcement is laminated at the stem and stern.
     Topsides are laid with Knytex, combined with mat and Airex foam coring.  The superstructure follows a similar process, with the addition of end-grain balsa and Divinycell coring encapsulated in the deck layup, to produce a sturdy section while reducing weight aloft.
 

TESTER'S OPINION: "During our sea trial, we proved that the 58 is stable and maneuvers well in 15 knot winds and choppy seas. The five-zone heater takes the chill out of the air on a cold Northwest morning. Living spaces are spacious and the fit and finish of this boat's wood work are top drawer."

PERFORMANCE
     Though twin John Deere diesel engines rumbled below decks, we were able to talk at normal voice levels during our test run.  Decibel readings were phenomenally low-in the high 60s in the pilothouse and only in the mid 70s in the saloon, over the engine compartment.  The addition of AquaDrive anti-vibration engine mounts as standard equipment almost eliminates drive shaft vibration.
     Even in sloppy conditions, our 58 motored easily at a 9.5 knot cruising speed, at 2,200 rpm.  With the helm hard over at speed, we completed a 360-degree turn in approximately five boat lengths.
     Conditions were excellent for testing the boat’s optional TRAC hydraulic stabilizers.  Waves were 2 to 4 feet, so Matthes engaged the units-and we watched a video screen that showed the back and forth movement of the stabilizers, producing a near flat ride.  However, even when the units were disabled, the ride remained acceptably flat.
     While exploring the interior, we also discovered that the designer has strategically located handrails in stairways and corridors-a real practical plus.
     Similarly, the exterior layout has been organized to ease movement on all three levels while maximizing spaces below decks.  Outside access to the pilothouse is to starboard from the cockpit.  The cockpit is large enough for a cocktail party, and it is protected by the boat deck.
     Conversely, access to the boat deck and flying bridge are to port from the pilothouse or bridge deck, a design feature that allows the builder to extend the main saloon to the hull, to port.  The entire arrangement produces the effect of an 18-foot-wide spiral staircase.
     Though we were not tempted to spend an extended period on the flybridge, it was well equipped, with two helm chairs and a curved bench seat with a table.  A concealed storage area spans the bridge, and two 20 pound propane tanks are stored out of sight.
     The boat’s mast is designed to fold down to reduce bridge clearance to 15 feet.  Tenders can be launched from a Nautical Structures EZ 1000 electric davit.
 

INTERIOR
     The main saloon, which is finished in cherry, offers plenty of room for lounging.  The area is outfitted with a large settee, chairs and a flat screen television hidden in a cabinet.  Opening Gebo side windows and Italian Cantalupi lights brightened the interior on our gray test day.
     Any seagoing chef will appreciate the 58’s galley, which offers more counter space than a typical suburban home.  Two Corian counters are long enough for two chefs to work simultaneously, without bumping elbows.
     The appliances are top-drawer as well.  The stove is a four-burner Broadwater with an oven large enough for a Christmas goose.  It sits below a GE Profile Performance microwave/convection oven.  A JennAir side-by-side stainless steel refrigerator/freezer is located to starboard.  A Miele dishwasher and a GE trash compactor also are standard equipment.
     When it’s time for lights out, the skipper and crew can retire to either two or three staterooms, depending upon which of several interior layout options are chosen.
     The skipper’s quarters are in a well-appointed stateroom in the bow.  The centerpiece is a berth atop a 7-foot-long island that is surrounded by wood cabinetry, shelves and a head.
     Aft, to starboard, the second stateroom may be furnished with a queen-sizeberth or two twin berths.  An en suite head is also provided.
     The layout of our test boat included a library, located amidships, with built-in computer cabinetry and bookshelves.  As an option, the space could be converted to a third stateroom.
     We discovered for ourselves that the Krogen 58 performs well in inclement conditions and provides crew and guests with warm, comfortable accommodations.  However, we’re envious of those who will be drinking margaritas, instead of hot chocolate.