August 28, 2009

Project: Kadey-Krogen 64 Expedition

Until now, the largest model offered by Kadey-Krogen has been their 58 but the company believes there is room and interest for a bigger model so long as it can still be handled by a couple. The 64 Expedition is designed to be handled comfortably by two people, yet guests and/or crew can be accommodated with privacy for all as the 64' is available with multiple cabin and head layout options. The saloon of the 64 Expedition is located where every Kadey-Krogen saloon can be found: forward through the welded aluminum weather-tight doors off the fully covered aft deck. The port side galley remains amidships, directly adjacent to the saloon, so those who are prepping and cooking are still a part of the conversation. The galley is well appointed with top-of-the-line stainless appliances including a four-burner Viking range, full-size Jenn-Air refrigerator, a super-quiet Miele dishwasher, a microwave/convection oven, and trash compactor. As a first for Kadey-Krogen, there is a separate dining room to starboard, opposite the galley. The design crew at Kadey-Krogen can also accommodate owner needs and will ensure the 64 Expedition meets the needs and expectations of its purchaser. A wide walkway along the starboard side provides exterior access from the aft deck to the massive foredeck that is capable of handling a 17-foot tender and related equipment. For those that favor the looks of an expedition yacht but prefer to operate a vessel outside the pilothouse in fair weather, the 64 Expedition is available with a flybridge. Kadey-Krogen vice president, Larry Polster, believes this new boat gives the company an opportunity to showcase how it can cater to cruisers who favor designs with maximum interior space without compromising handling, safety, or range. He also points out the architectural integrity of the design and says, that Kadey-Krogen don't stretch boats. The 64 is built using a dedicated mold and like the 55 it incorporates three keels. Engineering aboard the 55 was so well received that it was natural for Kadey-Krogen to extend those features and functions to the 64, like offering again complete access to all machinery spaces from a single point of entry. Owners can move from the rudder post to the bow thruster through watertight doors in a machinery space boasting 6 feet of headroom. This feature makes the 64 unique in class and size, setting it apart from its competitors. The innovative three-keel design by Kadey-Krogen allows the Expedition model to have greater fuel efficiency than other keel forms. Each of the skegs to port and starboard is counter-faired, with the trailing end specially shaped to rotate water flowing into the propeller in the opposite direction of the propeller rotation resulting in greater operating efficiency. The balanced, easy to propel hull form combined with continuous duty 231hp John Deere engines gives the 64 Expedition a range of 3,000nm at 9 knots. Supporting equipment in the engine room includes fuel polishing, oil exchange, and fire suppression systems; hydraulic stabilizers as well as bow and stern thrusters; chilled-water air conditioning; and a universal power converter all are standard. Like all Kadey-Krogens, the hull is built using vinylester and isophthalic resins, knytex mats, and US-made CookAE UV-protected gel coat to protect the vessels color over time. Critical areas of the hull will be reinforced with a special impact-resistant fiberglass mat containing Twaron, the same fiber used to give body armor its "bullet-proof" capability. Twaron is an aramid fiber that is five times stronger than steel and up to 60% lighter than ballistic steel. This strong yet light fiber helps maintain a moderate displacement-to-length ratio that is a signature of Kadey-Krogen engineering and again results in better fuel economy.For the potential buyer wondering where the new 64 Expedition can take them, Kadey-Krogen says to simply choose a destination.

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