Nirvana - Kadey-Krogen FOR SALE

Esteemed long-range full-displacement trawler boasting over $150,000 in recent enhancements. Bottom refit, Furuno nav suite, bow and stern thrusters, centerline queen owner’s cabin, and renowned diesel economy. Voyage-ready with primary systems refreshed.

Main description

Nirvana is a classic 1988 Kadey-Krogen 42—one of the most respected long-range cruising trawlers ever built. Designed by Jim Krogen, the Krogen 42 earned its reputation for seaworthiness, efficiency, and comfort, making it a favorite among serious cruisers and Great Loop adventurers. With her full-displacement hull, protected running gear, and legendary Ford Lehman diesel, Nirvana offers the dependable passagemaking capability that has made the Kadey-Krogen name synonymous with offshore cruising.

Since 2022, her owners have invested over $150,000 in upgrades and preventive maintenance, addressing many of the major systems and structural components that prospective buyers usually encounter on vessels of this age. A detailed list of improvements is available upon request.

Major improvements include a complete bottom restoration, with the hull media blasted, peeled, rebuilt with new fiberglass, and refinished to eliminate blisters. Deck areas with elevated moisture were professionally repaired using Coosa board and fiberglass, then finished with epoxy primer and Awlgrip topcoat. All exterior caulking was removed and replaced; portholes and cleats were taken out, rebedded, and reinstalled with new fasteners; and the deck prisms were rebuilt and resealed.

Handling and maneuverability were notably enhanced with the addition of a 24V Side-Power stern thruster, along with upgraded controls for both bow and stern thrusters at both helms. The vessel also received a full Furuno electronics package, including radar, autopilot, AIS, integrated navigation systems, new network cabling, LED lighting upgrades, a remote-controlled spotlight, and a Siren Pro vessel monitoring system.

Mechanical upgrades include replacement of all engine, generator, and air-conditioning hoses; servicing of major systems; replacement of exhaust elbows (June 2026); cleaning and inspection of cooling components; installation of a three-zone Reverso oil change system; reinforcement of the generator foundation; rebalancing of the shaft and propeller; and replacement of all thru-hull fittings. Additional improvements include a new water filtration system, an upgraded freshwater pressure system, redesigned chain locker drainage, improved gray-water management, and numerous structural repairs to eliminate moisture-related issues.

Nirvana offers a rare opportunity to acquire a solid, extensively upgraded Kadey-Krogen 42 at a reasonable price. While there are still cosmetic projects a new owner may wish to tackle, much of the costly structural, mechanical, and systems work has already been completed.

If you have been searching for a proven cruising trawler with sound fundamentals and recent substantial investments, Nirvana deserves your attention. Recently relocated from South Florida to Charleston, South Carolina, she was professionally washed and waxed upon arrival and is now available for inspection. Schedule your showing today.

Overview

Measurements and ranges are presented as estimates and must be confirmed by the buyer, per the Kadey-Krogen 42 brochure. Bridge clearances noted include 22 feet 9 inches mast up and 14 feet 0 inches; shipping height including cradle is 17 feet 6 inches, shipping length is 45 feet 10 inches, and shipping weight is 34,000 pounds. The passagemaking pedigree shows in the range figures: at 8 knots, approximately 2,500 nautical miles; at 7 knots, approximately 3,200 nautical miles; and at 6 knots, approximately 5,000 nautical miles.

Nirvana’s interior is tailored for extended cruising and gracious living, with the highly desirable forward owner’s cabin featuring a centerline queen berth, a spacious head with a separate stall shower, a versatile guest cabin that doubles as an office, a commanding pilothouse, a secure U‑shaped galley, and a bright, classic salon. Large windows flood the spaces with natural light and offer excellent visibility, while the covered aft deck, foredeck, flybridge, and pilothouse create inviting areas for cruising, entertaining, and comfortable liveaboard life. Practical comforts include a Splendid 2100XL vented clothes washer/dryer installed in 2017 and two CruiseAir reverse‑cycle air conditioning units.

The salon is warm and inviting, crafted in rich teak joinery over parquet flooring, with double teak entry doors and screens opening from the covered aft deck. To starboard, two swivel recliners complement a comfortable sofa flanked by two end tables with integrated electrical outlets. Daylight and airflow are managed by two opening windows with screens and two large fixed windows, all dressed with upgraded cordless zebra blinds installed in 2023 and finished with teak window valances that elevate the timeless trawler ambiance.

Forward to starboard, the U‑shaped galley delivers secure footing underway and generous storage, equipped with two 120V/12V Tundra refrigerators with freezer compartments, a three‑burner Galley Maid electric range with oven, a microwave oven, and a toaster oven. A deep double‑basin stainless steel sink is paired with a Moen faucet with sprayer and a dedicated filtered drinking water faucet added in 2023, while abundant cabinets and drawers keep provisions and cookware neatly organized.

The forward owner’s stateroom presents a true retreat with a centerline island queen berth topped by a 2023 memory foam mattress, a large storage compartment beneath, and multiple drawers under the bed. A double‑door hanging locker with shelving and an additional forward locker expand wardrobe options, while a vanity with drawers and a storage cabinet sits opposite a large mirror. Natural light and fresh air pour through two deck prisms, an opening overhead hatch with screen, and opening portholes.

Located to starboard ahead of the galley, the guest cabin/office adapts effortlessly for family, friends, or remote work, featuring a settee berth with a 2023 memory foam mattress and a Pullman berth on the forward bulkhead. A built‑in desk/workstation pairs with a large hanging locker, complemented by cabinets, drawers, and bookshelves. Opening portholes and two deck prisms provide natural light and ventilation.

Opposite the guest cabin, the head includes a large separate shower stall and an upgraded Raritan Marine Elegance toilet with SmartFlush electric system fitted in 2023, along with a bidet sprayer, a vanity with storage, and both an opening porthole and a deck prism for illumination and airflow.

The pilothouse is a standout, engineered for all‑weather confidence and overnight passages with superb sightlines from an expansive helm station. A new custom wood helm chair with swivel and armrests commands the space, with a second matching helm chair included and ready for installation. Dutch doors to port and starboard and an opening center windshield ensure excellent ventilation, while easy access to the side decks simplifies line handling and docking. A comfortable settee converts into a double sea berth, completed by a memory foam mattress. The Furuno navigation suite integrates radar, AIS, autopilot, and charting, all supported by a dual‑monitor navigation workstation—an ideal setup for long‑distance passagemaking and overnight watches.

Above, the flybridge offers outstanding visibility and relaxed social space with a custom six‑person lounge featuring storage beneath. Full engine controls and instrumentation are joined by bow and stern thruster controls, a Furuno multifunction display, a remote autopilot control, and an ICOM VHF radio, supplemented by a remote depth sounder with sea temperature display, an illuminated compass, and a Plexiglas windshield. Shade and protection come from a bimini top and covers added in 2023 and a flybridge canvas cover also new in 2023. Practical touches include deck lighting, fishing rod storage, a steadying sail with running rigging, and direct access from the covered aft deck.

Construction is robust, with solid hand‑laid fiberglass below the waterline; closed‑cell PVC sandwich core in the topsides and superstructure; end‑grain balsa‑cored pilothouse and decks; and marine‑grade plywood bulkheads with mahogany stringers and frames, per the Kadey‑Krogen 42 brochure. In 2022 all through‑hull fittings were replaced, and the AC through‑hull fitting diameter was increased to support the future installation of a third AC unit. A comprehensive new bottom in 2022 included removing the old fiberglass and re‑glassing, along with replacing all through‑hull fittings. The entire boat was stripped of old caulk and meticulously recaulked, and all portholes and cleats—both inner and outer flanges—were removed, re‑bedded, and secured with new screws.

Electronics, navigation, and entertainment are thoroughly modern. Radar is provided by a Furuno DRS4D‑NXT 36NM solid‑state Doppler unit with a 3.9 dH beam installed in 2023. The flybridge helm centers on a Furuno NavNet TZtouch3 TZT12F 12.1‑inch hybrid‑control multifunction display added in 2023, while in the pilothouse two Furuno FI‑70 4.1‑inch color LCD instrument displays (2023) complement two additional displays connected to the flybridge MFD (2023). Communications are handled by an ICOM M510 VHF with DSC, GPS, AIS, and a loudhailer, paired with an HS4800 remote unit for the flybridge (2023) and two Shakespeare 4018 VHF antennas installed in 2023. AIS data is delivered by an ICOM MA‑510TR transceiver with a 4.2‑inch color display in the pilothouse (2023), and the autopilot is a Furuno NavPilot 711C with hydraulic pump drive and controls in both the pilothouse and flybridge (2023). Wind information comes from an FI70BW+FI70 NavPod wind package with FI70 display (2023) complemented by ICOM 3.5‑inch color capability, while a Sirius/XM Satellite Weather receiver (2023), a Furuno FI5001 wind speed/direction sensor (2023), a 525T‑LTD112 bronze 12‑degree bottom‑contour transducer (2023), and a DT800 depth transducer (2023) complete the data suite. Entertainment is anchored by a Fusion RA770 head unit with AM/FM, Bluetooth, AUX, USB, SiriusXM, and Wi‑Fi in the pilothouse, playing through two JL Audio speakers in the pilothouse and two Fusion MS‑OS420 box speakers added in 2023. Visibility and safety are enhanced by a Speco camera in the engine room (2023), a Garmin GC14 boom camera for backup (2023), a GoLight 2007 GT spotlight (2023), and Lumitec Caprera LT LED spreader floodlights (2023). Security is handled by a Siren‑3Pro alarm system installed in 2023, with sensors for shore power, motion, batteries, big pump sensors, and high water. A USB GPS and an inverter for 12V operation are included, along with a searchlight with remote control in the pilothouse added in 2022, a Q‑Beam Blue Max handheld spotlight, a Danforth Constellation compass 5, and a rudder angle indicator.

Mechanical systems are centered on a Super Ford Lehman 135 hp engine showing 5,218 hours, with all hoses replaced and comprehensive service performed, including fluids and filters, a new transmission dipstick, a new stop solenoid, and cleaning of the heat exchanger raw‑water intake nipple. Planned work in June 2026 includes repairing or rebuilding the transmission, replacing one engine mount, and replacing the engine exhaust elbow. A Spurs line cutter protects the shaft. Ship’s power is supported by a 9 kW Onan generator in a sound shield; the generator was uninstalled to replace its base, fully serviced, and is scheduled to receive a new exhaust elbow in 2026. Engine and generator fluids and filters were changed in 2026, and the fuel was polished the same year. Running gear has been optimized with removal and rebalancing of the shaft and propeller. A Reverso Oil Changing Systems three‑zone oil changing system for the engine, transmission, and generator was installed in 2023. Filtration is handled by dual Racor filters. Close‑quarters control is effortless thanks to a 24V Side‑Power bow thruster and a 24V Side‑Power stern thruster with an isolated battery bank and charger added in 2022, with thruster controls at both the pilothouse and flybridge (2022). Ground tackle is managed by a Maxwell 3500 anchor windlass with new anchor chain in 2022, new foot switches for up and down, and a separate remote in the pilothouse.

Plumbing and electrical systems are equally comprehensive. Hot water is supplied by a 12‑gallon water heater, and domestic pressure is delivered by a Flojet no‑surge freshwater pump installed new in 2020. Bilge management includes two auto/manual electric bilge pumps and an engine‑driven emergency bilge pump. A water filtration system was added in 2023. The head is equipped with a Raritan electric toilet installed in 2023, sanitation hoses were replaced in 2023, and a bidet sprayer was added in 2023. House power relies on six golf cart batteries, switchable port/starboard/both (2019), with generator starting via two Group 27 batteries in parallel (2020) and thruster AGM batteries and charger fitted in 2021. Charging is handled by a Powercharger 40‑amp, three‑bank, three‑function battery charger. Shore power connectivity includes 50‑amp and 30‑amp power cords with miscellaneous adapters.

Thoughtful outfitting rounds out the package. Ground tackle and deck gear include a Maxwell 3500 windlass with new chain in 2022; new up/down foot switches and a separate pilothouse remote; chain color‑coded every 25 feet; a spare anchor with rode; a primary 75‑pound Danforth with 200 feet of BBB chain; a secondary 30‑pound CQR with 300 feet of 5/8‑inch rode; a Fortress FX‑85 storm anchor; approximately 150 feet of 3/4‑inch line; and a Mantus storm bridle with chain hook. The tender is a Highfield Hypalon RIB from 2019 on a Weaver davits transom‑mounting system, powered by a Honda 2 1/2 hp outboard purchased new in 2019. Additional comforts include Sunbrella window coverings for the pilothouse (2021), a cushion for the foredeck seat with a canvas cover updated in 2021, and fore‑deck lifelines added in 2021. Spares and accessories include miscellaneous fenders, life preservers, dock lines, spare parts, fittings, hoses, paint, and varnish, as well as binoculars, charts, guidebooks, and manuals—everything needed to step aboard and go.