My earliest memory of a Krogen design is a Navy whaleboat hull form converted to a small motorsailer which, as I remember, Jim Krogen did for Burl Ives some 20 years ago. What struck me most at the time was the distilled, almost exquisite, utilitarianism of the approach. Since then, Krogen designs continue to catch my eye because of their unabashed commitment to the principle that form should follow function - a credo that today appears in serious danger of extinction. And continuing in the tradition of having one's design head screwed on straight, the latest Kadey-Krogen is a no-nonsense, 48-foot "whaleback" trawler .
    The Krogen 48 Whaleback will sport a raised, flush foredeck reminiscent of those found on some early 2Oth-century motor whalers. This configuration affords exceptional freeboard and reserve buoyancy forward, as well as the ability to shed green water quickly - qualities essential to serious offshore work.
    A straightforward double-decked arrangement will avoid the all-too-common pitfall of relegating staterooms to the very bowels of the yacht, where often as not nary a single ray of sunlight passes. Moreover, the bridge/boat deck promises to be the quintessence of practicality-with a "Portuguese bridge" style walk- way and coaming surrounding a large, fully-windowed wheel- house, which itself will have a large, L-shaped lounge with dining-size drop-leaf table. All with enough upper deck space left for secure stowage of a tender and PWC.

The standard single 210-hp Cat diesel will drive the Krogen 48 effortlessly and economically to maximum displacement speeds. And at a loping, long-range cruising pace - say, seven to eight knots-her 1,000-gallon tankage should easily carry her more than 2,500 nautical miles without refueling.
    All of which, if you ask me, adds up to maximum utility in a handsome, traditionally flavored mini-ship.