1988 Kadey-Krogen 42

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 kind of 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. Contact the listing broker for a list of improvements.

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 improved with the addition of a 24V Side-Power stern thruster, along with upgraded bow and stern thruster controls 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, 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 chance to buy a solid, extensively upgraded Kadey-Krogen 42 at a reasonable price. While there are still cosmetic projects a new owner might choose to tackle, much of the costly structural, mechanical, and system work has already been completed.

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

Measurements and Range

The following measurements and ranges are estimates and must be confirmed by the Buyer. Source: Kadey - Krogen 42 brochure

Measurements:

• Bridge Clearance Mast Up: 22' - 9"
• Bridge Clearance Mast Up: 14' - 0"
• Shipping Height (including cradle): 17' - 6"
• Shipping Length: 45' - 10"
• Shipping Weight: 34,000 lbs

Range:

• 8 knots: 2,500 Nautical Miles
• 7 knots: 3,200 Nautical Miles
• 6 knots: 5,000 Nautical Miles

Interior

Nirvana features the highly desirable forward owner's cabin with a centerline queen berth, a spacious head with a separate stall shower, a guest cabin/office, a pilothouse, a functional U-shaped galley, and a bright, comfortable salon. Large windows throughout the vessel provide abundant natural light and excellent visibility, while the covered aft deck, foredeck, flybridge, and pilothouse create inviting spaces for cruising, entertaining, or extended liveaboard comfort.

• Washer/Dryer: 2100XL Splendid vented clothes washer/dryer (2017)
• Two CruiseAir reverse-cycle air conditioning units

Salon

The salon is warm, inviting, and designed for comfortable long-term cruising. Large windows, rich teak joinery, and parquet flooring create a classic trawler atmosphere.

• Double teak entry doors with screens from the covered aft deck
• Two swivel recliners to starboard
• Comfortable sofa with two end tables featuring integrated electrical outlets
• Two opening windows with screens and two large fixed windows
• Upgraded cordless zebra blinds (2023) offering adjustable light control and privacy
• Teak window valances throughout
• Parquet wood flooring

Galley

Located forward of the salon to starboard, the U-shaped galley provides excellent storage, secure footing underway, and all the amenities needed for extended cruising.

• (2) 120V/12V Tundra refrigerators with freezer compartments
• Three-burner Galley Maid electric range with oven
• Microwave oven
• Toaster oven
• Deep double-basin stainless steel sink
• Moen faucet with sprayer
• Dedicated filtered drinking water faucet (2023)
• Ample cabinet and drawer storage

Owner's Cabin

The forward owner's stateroom features the sought-after centerline queen berth arrangement found on only a limited number of Kadey-Krogen 42s. Natural light, excellent ventilation, and abundant storage make this an exceptional owner's retreat.

• Centerline island queen berth
• Memory foam mattress (2023)
• Large storage compartment beneath the berth
• Multiple drawers under the bed
• Double-door hanging locker with shelving
• Additional forward locker
• Vanity with drawers and a storage cabinet
• Large mirror
• Two-deck prisms
• Opening overhead hatch with a screen
• Opening portholes for natural ventilation

Guest Cabin / Office

Located to starboard, forward of the galley, the guest cabin serves equally well as a private cabin or office. 

• Settee berth with memory foam mattress (2023)
• Pullman berth on the forward bulkhead
• Built-in desk/workstation
• Large hanging locker
• Cabinets, drawers, and bookshelves
• Opening portholes
• Two-deck prisms provide natural light and ventilation

Head:

The head is located opposite the guest cabin and includes a separate stall shower.

• Large separate shower stall
• Upgraded Raritan Marine Elegance toilet with SmartFlush electric system (2023)
• Bidet sprayer
• Vanity with storage
• Opening porthole and deck prism for natural light and ventilation

Pilothouse

The pilothouse is one of Nirvana's standout features, providing excellent visibility, secure all-weather operation, and comfortable accommodations for overnight passages. Large windows, opening center windshield, and Dutch side doors create exceptional ventilation while underway.

• Expansive helm station with excellent sightlines
• New custom wood helm chair with swivel and armrests
• Second matching helm chair included and ready for installation
• Dutch doors to port and starboard
• Opening center windshield
• Comfortable settee that converts to a double sea berth
• Memory foam mattress on pilothouse berth
• Furuno navigation suite with radar, AIS, autopilot, and integrated charting systems
• Dual monitor navigation workstation
• Easy access to side decks for line handling and docking
• Ideal setup for long-distance passagemaking and overnight watches

Flybridge

The flybridge offers outstanding visibility, comfortable seating, and a fully functional secondary helm station. Whether navigating coastal waters, entertaining guests, or enjoying the view at anchor, this space is a favorite gathering area aboard.

• Custom six-person lounge with storage beneath
• Full engine controls and instrumentation
• Bow and stern thruster controls
• Furuno multifunction display
• Remote autopilot control
• ICOM VHF radio
• Remote depth sounder with sea temperature display
• Illuminated compass
• Plexiglas windshield
• Bimini top and covers (2023)
• Fybridge canvas cover (2023)
• Deck lighting
• Fishing rod storage
• Steadying sail with running rigging
• Direct access from the covered aft deck

Construction

Solid hand-laid fiberglass below the waterline. Closed-cell P.V.C. sandwich core used in the topsides and superstructure. End-grain Balsa cored pilot house and decks. Marine-grade plywood bulkheads with mahogany stringers and frames. Source: Kadey-Krogen 42 brochure

• All through-hull fittings replaced (2022)
• AC through-hull fitting diameter increased to support the future installation of a 3rd AC unit (2022)
• The new bottom (2022) included removing the old fiberglass and reglassing, along with replacing all through-hull
• Entire boat removal of all old caulk and recaulking
• Removed all portholes and cleats (inner and outer flanges), re-bedded with new screws

Electronics, Navigation, and Entertainment

• RADAR: Furuno DRS4D-NXT 36NM Radar, 3.9dH beam, Solid state, Doppler (2023)
• FLYBRIDGE MFD: Furuno NavNet TZtouch3 TZT12F is a 12.1-inch, Hybrid Control Multi-Function Display (MFD) (2023)
• PILOTHOUSE MFDs: (2) Furuno FI-70 4.1" color LCD instrument displays (2023)
• PILOTHOUSE DISPLAYS: (2) Displays connected to the Flybridge MFD (2023)
• PILOTHOUSE VHF: ICOM M510 w/DSC, +GPS, AIS, loud hailer with HS4800 Remote unit for flybridge (2023)
• VHF Antenna: 2 x Shakespeare 4018 VHF antenna (2023)
• AIS: ICOM MA-510TR AIS Transceiver with 4.2" color display in the pilothouse (2023)
• Loudhailer/Horn
• AUTOPILOT: Furuno NavPilot 711c-711C control with hydraulic pump drive. Controls in the pilothouse and flybridge (2023)
• Wind Direction: FI70BW+FI70 Navpod Wind package with FI70 display (2023) ICOM 3.5" color with
• Sirius/XM Satellite Weather receiver (2023)
• Furuno FI5001 wind speed/direction sensor (2023)
• 525T-LTD112 Bottom Contour Transducer, Bronze 12 degree (2023)
• DT800 Depth transducer (2023)
• Radio: Fusion RA770 AM/FM, BT, AUX, USB, SiriusXM, WiFi in the pilothouse
• Speakers: (2) JL Audio speakers in the pilothouse and two Fusion MS-OS420 Box speakers (2023)
• Speco camera in engine room (2023)
• Garmin GC14 boom camera for backup (2023)
• GoLight 2007 GT Spotlight (2023)
• Lumitec Caprera LT - LED Flood lights for spreader (2023)
• Siren-3Pro Alarm system (2023) - Siren sensors connected to shore power, motion sensors, battery sensors, big pump sensors, and high water alarm 
• A USB GPS and Inverter for 12V operation are included.
• Search light w/ remote control in PH (2022)
• Q-Beam Blue Max handheld spotlight
• Danforth Constellation compass 5
• Rudder angle indicator

Mechanical

• ENGINE: Super Ford Lehman 135 Hp (5,218 hours)
• Replaced all hoses
• Replaced fluids, filters, transmission dipstick, stop solenoid, and cleaned the heat exchanger raw water intake nipple. 
• Pending Engine Work in June 2026: Repair/rebuild the transmission, replace one engine mount, and replace the engine exhaust elbow.
• Spurs line cutter on the shaft
• GENERATOR: 9KW Onan Generator in sound shield
• Uninstalled the generator to replace the generator base
• Serviced the generator
• Replace the generator exhaust elbow (2026)
• The engine, generator fluids, and filters were changed in 2026
• The fuel was polished in 2026
• RUNNING GEAR: Removed and rebalanced the shaft and prop
• Reverso Oil Changing Systems - Installed a 3-zone oil changing system for the engine, transmission, and generator (2023) 
• Duel Racor filters
• Bow Thurster - 24V Sidepower bow thruster
• Stern Thruster - 24V SidePower stern thruster with an isolated battery bank and charger (2022)
• Bow and Stern Thruster controls in the pilothouse and on the flybridge (2022)
• Maxwell 3500 anchor windlass with new anchor chain (2022)
• New foot switches for up and down, and a separate remote in the pilothouse

Plumbing and Electric

• Water Heater: 12-gallons
• Flojet (no surge) fresh water pump (new 2020)
• Bilge Pumps: 2 Auto/manual electric bilge pumps
• Engine-driven emergency bilge pump
• Water Filtration System (2023)
• Electric Toilet: Raritan Electric toilet (2023)
• Sanitation hoses replaced in 2023
• Bidet sprayer (2023)
• (6) golf cart house batteries switchable port/starboard/both (2019)
• (2)Group 27 in parallel generator start batteries (2020)
• Thruster AGM batteries and charger (2021)
• Powercharger 40 amp, 3 bank, 3 function battery charger
• 50 amp and 30 amp power cords and miscellaneous adapters

Notes and Misc. Equipment

• Miscellaneous fenders, life preservers, and dock lines
• Maxwell 3500 anchor windlass with new anchor chain (2022)
• New foot switches for up and down, and a separate remote in the pilothouse, chain color-coded every 25'. Spare anchor with rode
• Primary Anchor: 75 lbs Danforth with 200' BBB chain     
• Secondary Anchor: 30 lbs CQR with 300' 5/8" rode
•  Fortress FX-85 storm anchor
• Approx 150' of 3/4" line
• Mantus storm bridle and chain hook
• Highfield Hypalon RIB (2019)
• Honda 2 1/2 HP (new 2019)
• Weaver davits transom mounting system
• Sunbrella window coverings for pilothouse (2021)
• Cushion for the foredeck seat with a canvas cover (cover new 2021)
• Fore-deck lifelines (2021)
• Spare parts, fittings, hoses, paint, and varnish
• Binoculars
• Charts, guidebooks, and manuals

Disclaimer

The company offers the details of this vessel in good faith but cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. A buyer should instruct his agents, or his surveyors, to investigate such details as the buyer desires validated. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change or withdrawal without notice.

Listing MLS by Yachtr.com