|
The 52’s interior is trawler all the way. I’m immediately struck by the capacious nature of the saloon and galley-up. The open layout and seven-foot-plus headroom contribute to this airy feeling, and it’s enhanced by light satin-finished cherrywood throughout, large side windows in the saloon, the half-open Dutch doors, and three large pilothouse windows: the two side ones measure 36"x26" and the centerline is 34"x26". Two salty-looking portholes add to the traditional flavor. The saloon’s L-shape settee to starboard appears to be an inviting place to read a book from the well-stocked mini-library across and forward of it. Feeling more like a snack? It’s easily prepared in the galley, equipped with a Force 10 cooktop, GE microwave, full-size U-line refrigerator and freezer, ice maker, and Corian countertops. This boat is showing me long-range cruising and liveaboard appeal.
a d v e r t i s e m e n t
|
I enter the below-decks areas, and my impression is validated. The master stateroom forward is as bright and airy as the saloon, with a large overhead hatch and 7'4" headroom, as well as an en suite head, queen-size step-up berth, six under-berth drawers, two full-length cedar-lined closets, eight more drawers for traveling clothes, and even a shoe closet under the vanity. Just aft and to starboard, the office/guest stateroom has some neat features of its own: a desk for those who want an office at sea, a settee that converts to a double, and a Pullman just above the desk. It’s a great place for the kids or a captain. There’s a second head directly across from the guest, and both it and the en suite master head feature VacuFlush MSDs and shower stalls.
The roominess here is rivaled by that of the engine room. I measure 5'10" headroom where the twin Yanmars sit. Both are accessible on all sides without having to bend over so much as an inch. Further aft, headroom transitions to 3'5" by the standard centerline 12-kW Northern Lights genset. Every hose and wire is easy to locate, identify, and work on. If you’re doing long-range cruising, you will spend some quality time in this space.
The Krogen Express 52 comes with almost every piece of gear standard, from the Simrad electronics package to the genset, to the Stidd helm seat and those hefty Dutch doors. In fact, the only real option on this test boat is the bow thruster, which isn’t a necessity with the twin diesel power and 26"x24" four-blade Hy-Torq wheels. At $1.2 million, the 52 is worth a look, or better yet, a ride.
So please keep it down...I’m still listening intently to the sound of the bow slicing through the chop as the 52 makes her way up Long Island Sound. Why? ‘Cause I’m at the wheel, and while this story’s over, I’m having too much fun to head back in. See ya.
Krogen Express
(866) 4KROGEN
|
PAGES:
|
|
2
|
 |
This article originally appeared in the January 2005
issue of Power & Motoryacht magazine.
|