4.1 Technical Description and Features
Hull: Full-displacement; full-keel; rounded chines; fiberglass.
LOA.............................. 38'-11"
LWL.............................. 36'-8"
Beam............................. 14'-2"
Draft................... ......... 4'-3"
Displacement................... 35,000 lbs (half load) / 20 tons+ loaded to
cruise.
Fuel.............................. 700 gals - in two 350 gal. aluminum tanks.
Water............................. 350 gals - in 1 s/s tank forward amidships.
Ballast.......................... 2000 lbs - encapsulated lead.
Holding tank....................... 35 gal. - Sealand.
Machinery:
Engine (standard)...............80 hp @2500rpm - John Deere 4039DFM w/ 24" X 15" prop.
(Twin Disc 2.44:1 Gear and 1-3/4" Aquamat 22 shaft)
Engine**(optional).............115 hp @2400rpm - John Deere 4045TFM w/ 26" X 17" prop.
(2.39:1 Gear)
**almost every boat has been ordered with this option.
Rudder..................... Stainless Steel w/shoe
Steering/Eng.Controls...... Hydraulic (dual station)
Fuel Filters............... Dual Racor w/ vac. gauge
Bilge Pumps................ (4) Rule 2000 GPH (fwd; mid; eng rm; laz)
Water Heater................12 gallons (110v & eng. coolant)
Battery Charger............ 50 amps - 3 stage
Engine Alternator ..........105 amps - Delco w/internal reg.
Estimated Range*:
Standard 80 hp (4039) Engine:
@9 knts (2500 rpm)..........1350 nm
@8 knts (2200 rpm)..........1750 nm
@7 knts (1725 rpm)..........2500 nm
@6 knts (1400 rpm)..........3100 nm
Optional 115hp (4045T) Engine:
@ 9 knts (2250 rpm).........1350 nm
@ 8 knts (1850 rpm).........1750 nm
@ 7 knts (1470 rpm).........2420 nm
@ 6 knts (1200 rpm).........3050 nm
* Note the differences between the two engines in the rpm's indicated for a
given speed. While the Turbo-equipped K39 as delivered, with a half-load, is
capable of about 9.5 knots through calm water, real-world performance will
fluctuate substantially due to weather, currents, hull condition,
weight/load, and equipment installed (particularly stabilizers and bow
thrusters). These figures are approximations balancing Krogen Speed/Range
charts, which are a bit conservative (and include an allowance for Genset
use), and other calculations incorporating John Deere's burn rate data
(gph@rpm/shp), as well as some actual cruising experience; all of which
suggests significantly higher potential ranges between 6 and 7.5 knots.
Suffice to say that the K39 is an efficient, economical machine. Fuel
expenses will be a minor item in a cruising budget, and a properly outfitted
K39 has the range to take you anywhere in the world you have the courage to
set out for!
Hydrostatic Data:
D/L Ratio.................... 303
A/B Ratio...................... 2.6
Prismatic Coefficient.......... 0.60
Lbs/inch immersion......... 1,790 lbs/inch
Moment to trim one inch.... 3,540 ft-lbs.
L.C.B......................... 51% aft
L.C.F......................... 55% aft
Stability:
GM (approx).................... 3 ft
Range Positive Stability...... 85 degrees +
KM at design LWL............... 9.30 ft.
Maximum righting moment........ N/A
KG (half load)................. 6.25
4.2 Production History
Hull #1 was delivered in July, 1998. Subsequent deliveries have occurred at the rate of about one boat per month. Krogen currently (July, 2001) has about 25 boats delivered. This is a production boat; you have to look closely to see the subtle refinements that have been incorporated into the boat over this period of time. The most noticeable to date is the upgrade to Freeman pilothouse weather-doors that the author observed on hull #24. The swim platform, an option in earlier boats, is standard now. Early boats used iron for ballast and had epoxied iron fuel tanks. Later boats use encapsulated lead ballast and aluminum fuel tanks.
4.3 Operating Characteristics and Discussion
The K39 hull is an enhanced and scaled-down version of its now discontinued bigger sister, the K42, and has many similar layout features. The K39 also has similar, but not necessarily identical, performance & handling characteristics. There are some "tweaks" in this newer hull, and some owners of both K39s and K42s who have had a chance to experience and compare the two boat's handling characteristics in similar conditions have come away with the impression that the K39 is an even better riding boat than its bigger sister. The fact that the location (and weight) of the engine and fuel tanks are more centered fore & aft in the K39 may be relevant in this regard.
Krogen currently intends this boat as a strictly "production" (verses custom) model, and builder-installed options are limited. Some extras include the larger engine, a window on the rear stbd Salon bulkhead, a washer/dryer and some fabric color choices. Krogen offers no alternate layouts or custom configurations for the boat at this time. Base price includes commisioning.
The boat has full walkaround decks port and starboard (no wide-body option), and a trunk cabin top forward, giving a slightly different profile, with less "rake" on the Pilothouse windows than on the K42. Also, the sole of the Salon area and cockpit is closer to the waterline, probably a result of the engine being located forward under the Pilothouse, instead of under the Salon area. This allows for higher bulwarks (thus more security) in the cockpit and sidedeck areas. The Boat Deck and Fly-bridge areas are slightly smaller, but otherwise provide virtually the same layout and function as the K42. A mast & boom are fitted, and a 10' tender can be stowed on the boat deck.
The K39 interior layout features a single, spacious centerline-queen Stateroom and a single Head w/ stall shower forward and down from the Pilothouse. A walk-in, stand-up Engine Room with outstanding engine and equipment access plus a large workbench is located aft of the Stateroom and Head, under the Pilothouse, and is considered by many to be this boat's finest feature.
The Pilothouse offers a huge standard chart-sized table and lots of electronics display space, plus a smaller chart / accessory area, and a 6' settee that converts to a double berth if needed.
The Galley-Salon area, aft and down three steps from the Pilothouse, is a scaled down but very similar layout to the K42 or K48 with the Galley to starboard and a desk with drawer and bookshelves to port. The L-shaped Dinette is aft to starboard, with a full-length settee and a large end table & locker aft to port. A single door in the aft bulkhead leads to the Cockpit with its centered transom door. As in the K42, there is a roomy Lazarette below the cockpit area. The steering gear is mounted up on a shelf there, out of harm's way.
Those seeking additional (especially pictorial) information may refer to a detailed 14-page review of the K39 appearing in the Winter 1998 issue of PassageMaker Magazine.