1996 Kadey-Krogen 48 Whaleback

Whale Rider represents the kind of yacht that serious cruising buyers rarely overlook: a pedigreed Kadey-Krogen 48 Whaleback with proven passage history, substantial onboard systems, and the quiet confidence of a vessel designed for true distance cruising.

Graceful in profile and deeply purposeful in execution, the 48 Whaleback is celebrated for combining Kadey-Krogen’s renowned full-displacement hull design with exceptional interior volume, seakeeping ability, and owner-operator practicality. Whale Rider carries that reputation well, offering the accommodations, range, and mechanical integrity sought by discerning yachtsmen preparing for extended coastal cruising, offshore passages, or comfortable life aboard.

Her cruising résumé is especially compelling, with prior voyages including the Great Loop, Mexico, Alaska, and the U.S. West Coast. That history speaks not only to the capability of the design, but also to the yacht’s suitability for ambitious cruising plans. Powered by a Caterpillar 3208NA 210 hp diesel, she delivers the efficient, unhurried rhythm that defines serious passagemaking, with an approximate cruising speed of 8 knots.

Equally important, Whale Rider is equipped with the systems expected in a yacht of this class: Wesmar hydraulic stabilizers, Wesmar hydraulic bow thruster, Village Marine 600 GPD watermaker, 12kW Northern Lights generator, 4-zone reverse-cycle air conditioning, and a fuel polishing system. These are not decorative features — they are the infrastructure of confident, self-sufficient cruising.

Inside, the yacht offers the warm, livable scale for which the Whaleback series is so admired. The beam-to-beam deckhouse salon creates a sense of openness rarely found in yachts of this vintage, while the three-stateroom, two-head arrangement provides welcome flexibility for owners, guests, or extended family cruising. A protected pilothouse with Portuguese bridge access reinforces the yacht’s offshore pedigree, while the updated upholstery and custom salon and cockpit tables, completed in 2019, lend a refreshed and inviting atmosphere throughout the living spaces.

Recent yard attention further strengthens her appeal. Work completed includes new bottom paint, cutlass bearing replacement, Tides Marine shaft seal replacement, shaft alignment work, galvanic isolators added to shore power inlets, new AGM start battery, new engine-room bilge pump, and a complete stabilizer service. Additional recent updates include a new Groco Paragon water pump (2024), new VacuFlush pump for the owner’s head (2024), and a new Vulcan 88 lb anchor (2024).

For the buyer seeking a respected long-range cruising yacht with authentic cruising credentials, substantial systems, and the enduring appeal of the Kadey-Krogen name, Whale Rider presents a compelling opportunity.

Notable Features

1. Caterpillar 3208NA diesel
2. Wesmar hydraulic stabilizers
3. Wesmar hydraulic bow thruster
4. Village Marine 600 GPD watermaker
5. 12kW Northern Lights generator
6. 4-zone reverse-cycle air conditioning
7. Fuel polishing system
8. Portuguese bridge
9. Three staterooms / two heads
10. Updated upholstery and custom tables (2019)
11. Extensive recent yard and service work
12. Cruising history including the Great Loop, Alaska, Mexico, and the West Coast

The interior arrangement is tailored for extended cruising with an emphasis on comfort, practicality, and separation of spaces. The expansive salon features twin L-shaped settees and a dedicated dining area, while the galley is equipped for serious onboard living with refrigeration, microwave convection oven, LP gas range/oven, trash compactor, and generous storage. Below, guest accommodations include a guest stateroom/office, a second guest cabin with twin berths, and a forward master suite with centerline berth and private head.

Spacious Deckhouse—The main living area features two L-shaped settees and a separate dining table with folding leaves, creating a cozy and functional space. The upholstery, cockpit salon, and tables were all replaced in 2019.

Galley: Positioned forward to starboard, the galley is well-equipped with a refrigerator/freezer, microwave convection oven, LP gas range/oven, and a trash compactor. There’s ample storage and a deep stainless steel sink.

Guest Accommodations—Whalerider features a guest head with a stall shower, a guest stateroom/den/office that sleeps two, and a second guest stateroom with two single berths.

Master Suite- The master stateroom is forward and features an oversized centerline berth with plenty of lockers and storage space. The master head includes a tub/shower combo.

Pilothouse & Upper Deck: A curved stairway leads to the enclosed bridge/pilothouse, which has Dutch doors opening to the upper side decks and Portuguese bridge. There’s an L-shaped settee with a dining table and a wet bar with an icemaker.

Cockpit & Swim Platform: The aft deck has all the necessary tracks to be enclosed with EZ2CY panels, which protect it from the elements. The swim platform allows easy access to the water for activities like diving or snorkeling.

Boat Deck: Surrounding the pilothouse is a massive boat deck with abundant space for personal watercraft and cross-country bikes and loads of free space to handle dock lines comfortably. For optimum, limitless cruising, the Whaleback 48' takes you confidentially and comfortably to your destination with fuel economy every knot of the way.

Below the waterline, a solid hand-laid PPG combo mat fiberglass is used, and a closed-cell P.V.C. sandwich core is used on the topsides. Vinylester resin is used in the first two laminates below the waterline.

End-grained balsa-cored superstructure, pilothouse, and boat deck. Core mat is also used to reduce print-through in marine plywood bulkheads. Mahogany stringers and frames are glassed in place and encased in fiberglass. Decks and pilothouse roof are 1 1/2" end-grain balsa core.

All Windows are tempered glass. The pilothouse front windows are 3/8" thick and all others are 3/16" thick with aluminum framing. 

Besides the Architectural Integrity of a Kadey-Krogen, the hull design is perhaps the most critical reason why seasoned mariners are attracted in the first place and also why so many come to love the brand. Each Krogen yacht begins with Kadey-Krogen’s exclusive Pure Full Displacement ® (PFD) hull- a masterpiece design for full-displacement pleasure yachts, created in the 1970s by James S. Krogen. This is a hull form with ideal displacement-to-length ratios, a fine entry, and characteristic end-to-end symmetry, including the signature “wineglass” transom, all producing a ride that is truly without equal.

Krogen is singularly focused and only builds this proven, reliable, seaworthy, sea-kindly cruising hull form. The Pure Full Displacement hull design does what it does so well that cruisers are ensured a safer and more comfortable time aboard than vessels built upon other hull forms. Only the pure full displacement hull provides stability and comfort, plus ample room for the fuel and supplies needed to make long passages or cross an ocean. Only the exclusive Kadey-Krogen hull form allows us to perfectly combine the elements to deliver capability and liveability.

Hydrostatic Data

2000NM Range @ 2000rpm making 9kts burning 1.5gph

Displacement/Length Ratio (D/L)             269

Above/Below Water Area Ratio (A/B)        2.6

Primatic Coefficient (PC)                           .60

Pounds Per Inch Immersion                      2600lbs

Moment-to-trim One inch                           6390 ft. lbs

Longitudinal Center of Buoyancy (LCB)     51.8% (Aft)

Longitudinal Center of Floatation (LCF)     55.8% (Aft)

Whale RIders's mechanical and electrical inventory supports the yacht’s long-range mission, including direct-drive propulsion, dual Racor filtration, Reverso oil change system, watermaker, generator, inverter/charger, shore power connections, and a capable suite of Furuno, Simrad, Garmin, Raymarine, VHF, and SSB electronics. The listing also notes full USCG safety gear, diesel furnace, steadying sail, and additional custom storage improvements.Original Caterpillar 3208NA 210hp @ 2800rpm - 7694 hrs

1. Naturally-aspirated (104 liter) 636 cu in displacement with 45in bore and 5.0 in stroke, four-stroke cycle, 8 cylinders, 90-degree, V-design engine
2. Twin Disc Caterpillar transmission Model# MG 506 - Gear 2.96: 1 ratio
3. Shaft: 2 "AquaMet" S/S direct drive
4. Fiberglass shaft log
5. Brass with inner rubber cutlass bearing
6. Left-hand 30in x 22in pitch three-bladed bronze propeller
7. S/S rectangular rudder
8. S/S skeg (foot) secured to the bottom of the rudder
9. 125A Alternator
10. Dual Racor fuel filters with vacuum gauge
11. Fuel polishing system
12. Wesmar hydraulic stabilizers
13. Wesmar hydraulic bow thruster
14. Vickers hydraulic pump with Wilkes & McLean noise suppressor
15. Village Marine 600GPD watermaker
16. 4 Zone Ocean Marine reverse cycle air conditioning
17. Reverso oil change system
18. Racor Fuel Filters
19. Sight gauges on fuel tanks
20. Fuel tanks (3) black iron epoxy
21. Fuel transfer pump
22. Fireboy automatic fire suppression system
23. (2) Water tanks S/S
24. Galley Maid anchor and deck washdown
25. Fresh water pump with accumulator tank
26. Air compressor with aft deck connector
27. Bonding system
28. 20 gal water heater
29. Fiberglass battery boxes
30. Spur line cutter

• 12kW Northern Lights Generator w/sound shield (4964 hrs)
• (4)8D house Batteries (new 2023)
• (1) Engine Start Battery (new 2023)
• (1) Gen. Start Battery (new 2023)
• (2) 50A Shore Power receptacles (foredeck & cockpit)
• 2500W Magnum Inverter/Charger

• Furuno 48mile Radar
• Simrad AP26 Autopilot
• Garmin GPSmap 182C
• Furuno RD30 Display
• Depth & Speed
• Raymarine Tri-Data Autohelm Series
• Tracvision Dish Network Satellite TV Dome
• Horizon with DDS VHF
• Standard LH10 hailer/intercom
• SEA225 SSB
• Electronic cards for West Coast, East Coast, Great Loop & Bahamas

• Full USCG Safety Gear
• Diesel Furnace
• All-new upholstery, custom salon & cockpit tables (2019)
• Turkish-inspired "Gullet" custom cockpit couch
• Custom lazarette & master cabin bilge storage shelving
• Window covers & new boot stripe
• Steadying sail 
• Zodiac Dinghy with 40 hp Yamaha outboard
• New Groco Paragon Water Pump (2024)
• New Vacuflush Pump for Owners Head (2024)
• New Vulcan 88lb anchor (2024)

Owner's items are excluded. Exclusions include, but are not limited to, Seller's possessions, loose items, binoculars, handheld radio(s), charts, tools, fishing equipment, spare parts, clothing, foul weather gear, galley equipment, linens/bedding, and any items not specifically listed on the equipment list specifications sheet.

Additional Excluded Items:

1. Dinghy on the transom and the outboard motor
2. Artwork
3. Tools
4. Bedding
5. Chelsea clock and barometer in pilothouse
6. EPIRB
7. Kitchen items

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.