Kadey Krogen Whaleback Interior Boat Tour: Discover the Hidden Charms

Are you ready for an interior boat tour? Today, I’m sharing our beautiful 48-foot Kadey Krogen Whaleback trawler, which is more like a second home for us. You’ll see some transformations from when we first bought her to the charming and cozy haven it is now.

Whether you’re a boating enthusiast or someone who loves a good before-and-after story, this post will give you an inside look at the galley renovation process and the unique features that make our boat feel like a home.

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The Search for Our Forever Boat

We previously owned a 40-foot cabin cruiser and loved taking her to explore the San Juan Islands for a long weekend or a few weeks.

But we quickly realized that we were starting to outgrow our boat with 3 dogs at the time, including our yellow lab Charlie, who took up a lot of the floor space.

We were on a three-week cruise when we realized our current boat was too small. That day, we started shopping for something bigger.

Due to my feet and knee issues, we started searching for a bigger option with fewer stairs. And then we found her!

The Whaleback model was perfect because the main living area was on one floor. There are some steep stairs going up to the pilot house, but we only use that space when we’re underway or having a cocktail while watching the sunset.

The Beginning: Our Whaleback’s Story

And then it happened. We found a Kadey Krogen on the market and were so excited that we stopped our vacation in the San Juans and boated to the marina in Seattle, where the boat was moored.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t in the best condition. Quite a few issues needed to be addressed, and we weren’t ready to take on that much work on a new purchase, so we walked away.

But here’s the thing: Only 29 of these boats were ever made, and this was the only one on the market in the Pacific Northwest.

After a few months, with the boat still on the market, we decided to make an offer that reflected the amount of work we estimated needed to be done on it, and it was eventually accepted.

We found out later that there was much more work (3 years’ worth) than we could have ever imagined. But now we know it was meant to be, and we love her.

Let’s Name Her Wildflower

Now it was time to name our new boat.

We decided to name her “Wildflower”. I’m sure you probably think it’s because I love flowers. But the name came from one of our favorite songs, Wildflower, by Tom Petty. My husband and I fell in love with the words:

“You belong among the wildflowers. You belong at a boat out at sea. You belong with your love on your arm. You belong somewhere you feel free”. -Tom Petty

How perfect is that?

The Interior Boat Tour: Bringing Our Vision to Life

When we first purchased Wildflower, she was a sturdy boat but lacked the personal touches and modern amenities we envisioned for our floating home. As for cosmetic issues, the galley was dated and needed a lot of love and updating.

We started by planning to create a warm, inviting space that maximized comfort and storage. We mapped out each area of the boat to decide on the changes we wanted.

We’ve remodeled and updated the interior for three years, focusing on aesthetics and functionality. We’re close to having most projects checked off the list, so let’s look.

The Galley

Before

We made the most improvements in the galley, so let’s start the interior boat tour here.

The bar space between the galley and the eating area was elevated and closed off from the rest of the living area. To fix this issue, we lowered the bar height and removed the support pole, which wasn’t needed structurally.

The countertops and appliances were extremely dated and needed replacing.

Demolition and Preparation

The bar was cut down to where the blue tape was so it would open up to the rest of the living space.

The countertops and appliances were removed to prepare for the new galley renovations.

Now we’re ready to go.

Shopping for Counters and Appliances

Quartz shopping was so much fun!

Here is our choice being rolled down the ramp and to our boat.

The range arrived at the marina. It wasn’t easy to get into the boat; it took three men to load it.

Installing New Features

We focused on high-quality materials that could withstand the marine environment while adding a touch of style.

The quartz counters, which are stronger than granite, were installed. Don’t they look dreamy?

The next project was installing the subway tile, which was done using flexible, thin-set mortar that would move with the boat and not crack.

The new microwave and refrigerator were installed after the cabinetry was cut to increase the space for the larger appliances. The range and new sink were next to be installed.

Sea rails create a rim around the countertop so nothing slides off the counter in rough weather. These were added after the counters were installed.

Upgrading the Galley

The galley (kitchen) received a complete makeover. We added modern appliances and new countertops to create a functional yet stylish cooking space.

Galley Highlights

Enhancing the Living Area

Next on the interior boat tour is the salon, our living area.

We redesigned the living area to be a cozy retreat, perfect for relaxing after a day on the water. This included a new ottoman for extra seating and storage, lighting, and coastal decor that reflects our style.

We bought an ottoman from Pottery Barn with inside storage. This added more seating to this space and provided storage for cocktail glasses, platters, and extra dishware for entertaining.

Eating Area

The eating area is a comfy space where I spend a lot of computer time. The wood table folds out for extra seating. There’s a ton of storage space underneath the built-in sectional.

Get a good look at the ceiling. It’s one of my favorite features on the boat. This feature is no longer offered on new construction boats because of the cost.

The double doors lead from the living area to the outdoor cockpit, but we call it our back porch.

Here’s a look from the galley. Before we lowered the counter here, you wouldn’t have been able to see the table.

The Main Stateroom

The bedrooms and bathrooms were updated with new light fixtures, comfortable bedding, and efficient storage solutions. Every detail was chosen to enhance comfort and practicality.

Bedroom Highlights

The Pilot House

We’re heading upstairs to the pilot house to continue our interior boat tour.

This is where we spend our time when we’re underway and heading to our next adventure. It’s a great space and very comfortable.

The boys sleep next to me on the settee, where I’m usually writing blog posts on the computer.

With windows all the way around the pilot house, we don’t miss any of the amazing Puget Sound views.

A sink below the countertop (in the picture above) has a hinged lid that we keep closed when not in use. To the left is a combo refrigerator/freezer unit built into the cabinetry. A hinged lid also covers this to afford more countertop space.

The helm station has been updated with the latest Garmin chart plotters, and a new helm chair was also installed in our latest renovation phase. I’ll be updating the picture above soon.

We’re waiting to install new double-pane windows and pilot house doors when we return from vacation.

Dutch doors make it convenient to get a flow of fresh air without opening the doors completely.

Here are the crazy stairs back down to the main living space. Handrails are a must!

The Outdoor Cockpit

Here’s the view of our outdoor cockpit from the salon’s double doors.

This is what we call the back porch and where you board the boat.

The hard plastic windows unzip and are secured to the overhead ceiling to allow airflow on nice days. They also provide shelter from the cold and rain during winter, allowing us to use this space year-round.

The area under the hatch in the floor is called the lazarette. Here we store cleaning supplies, a pressure washer, additional lines, and crab pot buoys.

This area looks even better with some fresh flowers.

By the way, these sweet boys have a dog door (we know we must love our dogs when we cut a hole in our teak door) to the cockpit and a doggie pad where they can do their business.

Final Thoughts on Our Home on the Water

We’ve turned a functional but dated 30-year-old vessel into a warm, inviting second home. The interior now has a comfortable and classic nautical charm, making it a perfect place to unwind and enjoy life on the water.

I’ll update this post with pictures of the 2 heads (bathrooms) and other staterooms soon after our next boating trip.

Thank you for joining me on our interior boat tour. I hope it inspires you to undertake your own renovation projects, whether they’re on land or water!

If you have any questions or additional suggestions, please share them in the comments below. And be sure to share this blog post link with anyone who may enjoy it.

Until next time,

Happy Boating!

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