Last year I couldn’t wait to get out of the cold and down to Fort Lauderdale for Trawler Fest. It’s exciting starting off a new year of boat shows and it isn’t so bad to leave snow behind for sunny southern Florida. This year when Larry and I departed Baltimore it was 68 degrees! I was still full of excitement for the show even though I wasn’t desperately trying to get out of a blizzard!

Larry and I arrived on Wednesday as the Trawler Fest University was wrapping up and our Krogen 52′, Krogen 48′ AE and Krogen 48′ North Sea were beginning to make their grand entrances.

First Suite Judy, the Krogen 52', made her grand entrance with her Captain, Mike Warren, and crew.

 About 30 minutes later, Kadey-Krogen’s Gregg Gandy and owner Alan W., arrived with the newest of the Krogen 48′ AE fleet.

Alan skillfully backs Sharon Ann into her slip.

 And then we had to start getting everything organized. And boy was there a lot to get in order! From brochures, to Waypoints, to koozies, to welcome bags, to easels, etc, etc… There’s a lot going on behind the scenes! It took a little bit of work, but finally we were all set up and ready for the show the following morning.

See what I mean?

The Krogen 52', Krogen 48' AE and Krogen 48' North Sea all lined up and ready to be seen!

 On both Thursday and Friday evening we hosted a docktail hour on the Krogen 52′ for owners and people we’ve been working with to attend. It always amazes me how many people you can fit on board comfortably. We easily had 20 people on board that found spots in the cockpit, pilothouse or saloon. And I’m not lying when I say we could have fit more. It was a lot of fun… and there was quite a spread!

So yummy!

 

Friday and Saturday brought interesting weather. Bouts of rain kept rolling through causing me to pack up all my stuff and move on board for 15 minutes before it cleared up. Then, about the time I got back to the podium, dried everything off and set back up another rain cloud would come along! Mother Nature has quite the sense of humor.

 

How I managed to keep all the literature dry.

After the show wrapped up and we got everything packed, we headed to the PassageMaker cocktail hour.   Non-exhibitors collected a raffle ticket on the way in to win a SPOT GPS tracker. We enjoyed light fare and cocktails while we mingled by the pool at the Bahia Mar as the skies continued to intermittently spit on us. Before long it was time for the raffle. Who won but out very own Krogen 52′ owner, Mike Warren. After he excitedly received his SPOT tracker, the told him to stay up there. They then launched into how about 2100 people attended Trawler Fest and were encouraged to vote for the People’s Choice Award. Guess who won?? Mike Warren had a very good day. He walked out  of the Bahia Mar with the new GPS tracker, wooden engraved log book, and the Tiffany’s crystal bowl. Kudos Mike Warren!!

A mixed crew of KKY and PMM surround Mike and congratulate him on his winnings.

 

Next up Miami!! Remember we are in a different location this year at the Miami Yacht and Brokerage Show in Miami Beach. We will be in the TrawlerPort and can be found on Ramp 5. On display will be the award-winning Krogen 52′ and award-winning Krogen 48′ AE. Hope to see you there!!!!!!!!  

 

 Phone dump of random pictures from Fort Lauderdale:

 

VP Tom Button seeks shelter from the rain. He doesn't usually come to shows, but with the steady traffic it was nice to have him there.

 

A rainbow appeared while I was waiting for a drawbridge.

 

 

Laura entertaining Larry... always the amusing one that Laura.

 

Sunrise during my morning run along A1A. Gorgeous.

Hi All!! Happy 2012! I hope that everyone’s years have started out happy and healthy and remain that way for the next 12 months.

I’ve received some fun and interesting pictures from owners that I thought others may like to see as well.

Below are adventure-seekers Jeff and Suzie Parker (KK48NS Idyll Time) and Marty and Suzanne Tuck (KK48NS Alizann) on their somewhat impromptu trip to Antarctica. While they didn’t take their Kadey-Krogens, these couples have done a lot of cruising together and took it one step further by taking a cruise to the frigid continent.

Jeff, Suzie, Marty and Suzanne (from L to R) proudly display their Kadey-Krogen flag in Antarctica.

Chuck and Barbara Shipley (KK48NS Tusen Takk II) have been cruising the Caribbean for a number of years now. It never ceases to amaze me the adventures they have. Check out their catch of the day in St. Francis Bay, St. John last month. Those guys are ginormous! (Btw, I’m referring to the lobsters, not the men.)

HOLY MOLY!! Chuck (right) and friend John show off some of the biggest lobsters I've ever seen.

Finally, I received an email from Steve and Teresa Hutchins (KK48WB Sea Quill) about their New Year’s festivities:

… We headed to Pecks Lake for New Years Eve. We would like to thank Jennifer and Darrell on Freelance for setting this up.  Take Time, Sylken Sea, Freelance, Dream Weaver, and Sea Quill were on hand to usher the New Year in with a party of course. We got there on Friday after an hour cruise and commenced to party and did not stop till we left Sunday afternoon.

A few photos Teresa shared:

Kadey-Krogens getting ready to ring in 2012!

New Year's dinner on Sea Quill. There were 10 people total in their saloon!

She looks pretty good, huh? We'll be exhibiting the Krogen 52' and Krogen 48' from January 27 - February 5. Please come see us!

On Thursday Larry and I left a gray, rainy Baltimore for a vibrant and sunny Fort Lauderdale. We arrived around noon and after checking in at our hotel that we affectionately called the “Spring Break ’73″ hotel we headed to the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. It was a little slow, as opening days tend to be, but it was nice getting accustomed to the 2007 brokerage Krogen 58′ we had at the show. She was in impeccable condition. And it was the first Krogen 58′ I’ve been on that had a third stateroom/office as opposed to the open office. It’s always nice to see new things in person. I was able to leave a little early as I had family in town, but was back at it early the next day.

The golf cart taxi thing... Sitting behind John and Bill.

And this is how we got to the show. It was an invigorating way to wake up, that’s for sure. Friday was a humid and stifling day where we were anxiously awaiting afternoon showers to cool things down. There was an unpredictable ebb and flow of traffic, but overall we stayed busy.

In the late afternoon, Larry and I took a walk around the show. Holy displays and exhibits, Batman! Needless to say, I was a touch overwhelmed by the sheer size of some of the boats and displays. Some were really fancy with ‘grass’ carpeting and models posing in front of each vessel. There was even one whose float was literally a barge that is their office. I made a request to Larry that we follow suit as my life would be much simpler, but all he did was laugh at me. This show was unlike any other I’ve been to. TrawlerPort never looked so good to me!

Laura told me I looked like Tinkerbell how I was sitting and thought it would be perfect for the blog. She was right.

The rains came and cooled things down. But Saturday the rain didn’t stop. And it got angrier. I’ll be the first to admit that a little rain is nice during boat shows. As I’ve mentioned before it’s a “qualifier” of sorts. But Saturday was just ridiculous.

It was like this for hours. And then got worse.

There were slight lulls between downpours. That’s the time when people would emerge from whatever boat they were trapped on, hurry down the dock to the next boat, and then get stuck again. We probably had about 20 people stuck on board at one point. Fortunately the spacious interior allowed us to remain comfortable.

After the show we tried waiting for one of the slight lulls, but there wasn’t one coming. It was only getting worse. So we braved the storm. By the time we got up to the Bahia Mar there were probably 200 people congregated outside the hotel and in the lobby trying to decide what to do. I noticed people looking at me sympathetically and getting out of my way. I didn’t think much of it until Larry took this picture:

I was just trying to keep my purse dry!

When we realized that there was no point in waiting 3 hours for a cab to go 2 miles, we decided to walk. What’s a little rain? We dipped into Coconuts for dinner to try and ride out some of the storm. We looked like drowned rats by the time we got there. My shorts were stuck to me and my Sperrys literally didn’t dry for two days.

As luck would have it, our buddies from PassageMaker were also at Coconuts. We had a great time after dinner….

Champagne, Grape Bomb, Vodka Soda... All for me... This always happens when we get together!

Despite being soaked to the bone, I was coerced into going to a Halloween party. I went as a wet yacht broker.

PassageMaker's Christine and I pose/get accosted by a zombie on stilts.

Sunday and Monday were somewhat slow, as boat show Sundays and Mondays tend to be. Though I must say, there were some good, prospective people that came aboard. It was a different show for me as I’m not used to this much downtime, though I’m sure the weather was a huge factor in that. It was definitely too much rain to be a qualifier day(s).

Laura and Bill relaxing before the start of the show.

Oh! And Monday was a big day for me. There was this pretty, petite brunette that was checking out one of our easels and speaking to her husband in French. She looked quite familiar, and I realized that she kind of looked like Shania Twain. When she noticed that I was creepily staring at her from behind my sunglasses she smiled and I said, “You look  just like Shania Twain.” To which the pretty brunette graciously laughed and continued walking down the dock. It dawned on me that she is actually from Canada and could probably speak French. So, I Googled a picture of her and her hubby – and it was indeed them strolling the docks! So basically, I told Shania Twain that she looks exactly like Shania Twain. This story is going to get some mileage.

And this brings our 2011 Boat Show Season to an end. It’s been hectic and a bit stressful, but it’s been fun and it’s been productive. We continue to work with interested parties and gain attention and affection from new ones. Our brokerage listings continue to sell, and we just received a new contract on a Krogen 52′. It’s no secret the economy has affected us all, but there are certainly glimmers that things may change.

And with that I am taking a few days of R n R…

Ahhhhh....

What a whirlwind week! After only two days back in the office catching up on “office stuff” and replenishing “show stuff”, we had to move the Krogen 55′ Expedition to her slip at the US Powerboat Show in Annapolis. Larry, John, Bill and I hopped aboard for the short voyage from Port Annpolis Marina and were prompt for our 11AM move-in.

Larry at the starboard wingstation ready to take off! Don't you feel safe behind that portuguese bridge just looking at this picture??

However, because of the nasty weather (mainly the wind) the move-in process was not as simplistic as planned. We spend 3 hours  tooling around. With the chop in the water, I was a little concerned about getting green in the gills. BUT! With the excellent view and comfort of the pilothouse, I was good to go. Bill and I even learned how to play dominoes as they were onboard as a prop – Thanks, Karen!

John patiently sitting at the helm during our wait.

 Once it was our turn to move-in, Larry masterfully backed the Krogen 55′ into her slip. As we were moving in, the carpet team finished our float and we were able to offload said “show stuff” and get set up in what felt like a matter of minutes. It was smooth like butt-ah.

Per tradition, the Powerboat Show weather was nothing like the Sailboat Show weather. Pretty much every day of the show had its bouts of rain. And by “bouts of rain”, I really mean “mini-thunderstorms”. And let me tell you, having a tented float made us quite popular from time to time.

Storm rolling through and bringing blue skies.

On Friday night, we decided to have a Kadey-Krogen Docktail Hour. We had wine and beer and had hors d’oeuvres from Portside Cafe that’s in the Port Annapolis Marina. The amazing trio dip, crab imperial crab dip, Italian antipastas and chicken satays were not only delicious – but they arrived in style.

John delivering our goodies by boat. Now that's service!

Because the food and booze were onboard the Krogen 55′, most people stayed aboard in lieu of mingling on our tent. Good thing it could accomodate the 20+ people that decided to come. And just like at home…. people congregated in the kitchen (galley, obviously. But you’re pickin’ up what I’m puttin’ down.)

Five people mingle comfortably in the galley.

After a storm one of the days, a beautiful double rainbow appeared. I’m happy to report that I was able to get this shot from the bow of the Krogen 55′:

Pretty, right?

Overall, the traffic and flow of the show were good. Nice and steady. As expected, Saturday was a little overwhelming. I think we were at 10:05AM when the wait to get onboard began and it was about 4:30PM when the wait subsided. But, when you’re busy like that – the day flies by! I saw quite a few familiar faces and made a lot of new friends with genuine interest in Kadey-Krogen. And on a personal level, I especially love it when someone approaches me to ask about something I’ve written in my blog. There were a few people who did that!

The Krogen 55' headed back to Port Annapolis Marina. Queen's "Fat Bottomed Girls" plays in my head when I look at this picture.

Speaking of our fat bottomed girls, have you checked out the new animation we have on our site detailing the differences in our hull form against boats with flatter aft sections? It’s definitely worth checking out. We had it running at the show and it generated a lot of interest and conversation. Click HERE.

Next weekend we move on to the Open House followed by the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. Kadey-Krogen hasn’t exhibited in that in a few years, so I’m excited to see what this show is like. It will be the biggest boat show that I’ve been involved in and I hear there are some incredible displays. I’m also excited to be exhibiting alongside Outer Reef Yachts, who represent us in Europe and Australia. Should be a fun show!

Could the weather over the weekend have been any more perfect? I really don’t think it’s possible. Mid-70’s and no clouds in the sky… I’ll take it! Especially after all the rain we’ve been having. I was definitely more than grateful, even though I did get a touch sunburned during the show.

Using my pashmina at the end of the day to protect my skin. Liiiiiittle sunkissed...

Ah, the show. I could go on and on about the weather, but that’s not what this blog is for. The Baltimore Trawler Fest was a success yet again. Baltimore has proven to be the perfect mid-Atlantic location. The show contracted 64 exhibitor boats, 34 vendors and drew a crowd of about 2,500 for seminars and the in-water show. They also sold out spaces in their Trawler Fest University classes. One of those classes being the Women’s Handling Course on a twin screw vessel aka the Krogen 55′.

The ladies docking the Krogen 55' after their second day of class.

We had a brokerage Krogen 44’, Java Belle, in the show as well as the Krogen 55’ Expedition. This Trawler Fest was a little different for us this year in that we brought the podium to set up on the dock and asked that everyone registered with me before boarding the boat for an escorted walk-through. In the past, we’ve had people practically clamoring over each other onboard. Obviously, that’s not good for the boat or the people trying to get a feel for Kadey-Krogen. So there I was, Shannon Band -Gatekeeper Extraordinaire. I tried not to be offended when someone wrote down Richard Nixon as his name, but I rationalized it was better than the classic Seymour Butz.

My "gate" complete with boat hook/umbrella contraption Larry made to help shade me from the sun.

The crowds were steady throughout the show. Thursday and Friday one knew when the seminars were in session as there were noticeably less people on the docks. Saturday was busy All. Day. Long. Before I knew it, it was 3 o’clock and I hadn’t even had a snack! (For those of you who don’t know me well, I get straight up grumpy a tad ornery when I am hungry.) Fortunately I powered through and KK48 owners Roberto and Maria Rosa supplied us with some yummy hors d’oeuvres.

Bill and Laura enjoying the calm before the storm in the cockpit of the Krogen 55'.

The Rosas literally knew nothing about boating before they bought their Kadey-Krogen a little over a year ago. They have come SO far, but take advantage of every opportunity to learn that they can. Hence, they were at Trawler Fest to attend the seminars. They were also nice enough to show people we sent down the dock their Krogen 48’. Apparently, people were starting to think Gratitude was actually in the show because on Sunday morning Roberto and Maria were having breakfast with their doors open and people actually climbed on and took their shoes off in the cockpit!

The Rosas aboard their boat at the Warwick Trawler Fest last July.

Anyway, Saturday wasn’t only a busy day, it was a gratifying day. The Krogen 55’ Expedition won the People’s Choice Award – again! This is the eighth time in three years that Kadey-Krogen has won this coveted award. What an honor! We are starting to have quite a collection of Tiffany’s crystal bowls!

Posing for a picture with PMM's John Wooldridge and Rob Dorfmeyer after receiving the People's Choice Award.

All in all it was a great show! Met a lot of new people and saw many familiar faces as well. Still chasing that dream of living a cruising lifestyle… 

Bon Voyage! Greg, Laura and John embarking on their cruise back to Annapolis.

This upcoming weekend we have the United States Powerboat Show in Annapolis aka “The Annapolis Show”. We will be exhibiting our award-winning Krogen 55’. And I will be there greeting and gatekeeping. FYI – real names appreciated. 

Hope to see you there!

Baltimore Inner Harbor at night. I love this city.

Unless you were living under a rock a week ago, you probably heard a little bit about Hurricane Irene.  The storm dominated news stations building the anticipation of this impending, massive weather system headed for the Mid-Atlantic coast. Some people here at the Port Annapolis Marina were taking precautions by hauling their boats out, while others were tying extra lines and securing more fenders. And then we waited. Beaches were evacuated. Flashlights and bottled water were out of stock. A state of emergency was declared. And the Chesapeake Bay Ship Pilots went to work.

As most of you know, my father Bill Band is a ship pilot. And while this post isn’t exactly Kadey-Krogen related, it is his account of weathering a hurricane on the Bay. I had to share.

***

As Category 1 Hurricane IRENE started her northerly track up the eastern seaboard, the Port of Baltimore began to make preparations for her arrival.  On Friday, August 26, 2011 the USCG Capt of the Port declared that the Port of Baltimore would be closed to movement at 2000 Saturday, August 27.  The Maryland Port Administration decided to clear its berths of ship and barge traffic before that deadline, and for those of us who work the ships…pilots, line handlers, tugboats and agents, our weekend with IRENE was about to begin.

The passenger ship Carnival Pride  cut short her weekly voyage to the Caribbean, and returned to Baltimore, arriving at the Virginia Capes at 1830 Friday, August 26.  Upon arrival in Baltimore, she discharged all her passengers, and ordered 2 pilots to sail outbound at 1100, August 27.  It was our job to direct the movements of the ship, while riding IRENE out in upper Chesapeake Bay.  The Carnival Pride is 960′ in length, 127′ in beam, with a draft of 27′ 01”. She is approximately 120′ high from the waterline almost her entire length.  Carnival Pride’s sail area is tremendous. The wind’s effect on her would be significant.

The Carnival Pride

On Saturday morning, with bands of rain beginning to drop buckets of water, and wind increasing, we two pilots arrived at Carnival Pride’s gangway and were escorted up to the bridge.  Last line was at 1038, the wind NE at 20 kts.  Within the hour we had 35 to 40 kts of wind. We passed under the Chesapeake Bay Bridge at 1234, and listened to the radio communications between our pilot launch and the various ships lying at anchor off Annapolis, MD.  I felt fortunate in not being one of the pilots attempting to board any of these anchored ships in that kind of wind.  By orders of the USCG Captain of the Port, all ships would have a pilot aboard.  No ship would would be permitted closer to the Bay Bridge than 6 nautical miles.  All ships were required to have a CPA (closest point of approach) of at least one nautical mile from each other.  Some of these ships would be getting underway and moving further south down the bay.  Eventually, there would be 15 ships anchored or holding station in upper Chesapeake Bay.  I wanted to place Carnival Pride south of this flotilla, with no vessels to leeward of us.  At 1400 we were approaching CR buoy off Sharps Island, Choptank River. As I began to reduce speed to bring Carnival Pride around and up into the wind, the Captain gave a verbal warning to the 900 crew below decks via the ship’s intercom. The 50 kts of wind hitting the beam of this 86,000 ton ship was impressive.  She heeled to port noticeably.  We slowed to minimum speed.  Because of the force the wind, the Captain was reluctant to anchor his ship.  The decision was made to steam slowly into the wind.  And so, it was here, off Sharps Island, that Carnival Pride would make her stand against IRENE.

View from the bow in 50kt winds.

The Carnival Pride is powered by two Azipods which are essentially propellers that can be swiveled 360 degrees.  These Azipods have 62,370 combined horsepower.  She also has a powerful bow thruster.  These propulsion systems enabled us to hold Carnival Pride in a fashion that would be impossible on most traditional ships.  The Master and staff captain split the watches as did we two pilots.  They handled the Azipods and we steered the ship.  The bridge team consisted of the captain, pilot, deck officers, helmsmen, lookouts and cadets.  In 50kts of wind we were able to advance at approximately .2 kt.  We could move laterally by putting the wind slightly on either side of the bow.  This was not easy as the wind would gust through about 20 degrees left or right of its average direction.  During my watch the current was ebbing.  We were able to advance back down our track line stern first while still steering and powering up into the wind!  At 2100 I was relieved by the other pilot, and returned at 0300.  At 2100 the average wind speed was in the low 60′s from the NE.  IRENE was ESE of our position more than 100 miles away.

67.6 knot winds

As the wind increased, it was necessary to add more power to steer the ship.  This caused Carnival Pride to move too far to the north and approach the southern end of the ships anchored above us.  The wind was gusting into the low 80′s.  Finally, the bridge team let Carnival Pride fall off the wind and drift south 3 nautical miles…wind on the beam, heeled over to port.  At approximately 0145 the Captain decided to try and anchor the ship.  This was not an easy decision as Carnival Pride’s anchors are not as robust as one might find on a merchant cargo ship.  They are made to be dropped and heaved in relatively calm conditions.  Also, because of space constraints, her two windlasses are somewhat lacking in power.  However, if the anchor held, it would relieve some of the stress placed upon those standing watch on the bridge.  The anchor was dropped at 0210…it held …until 0550.

The wind was then blowing from the NW in the mid to upper 50′s and we began to move to the SE at about 1.2kts.  We had anchored in 42 feet of water with 8 shots (720′) of chain out.  To the SE of us lay the deepwater channel on the eastern side of the Bay.  Years ago I watched a ship drag anchor into the deep water cut off Cape Charles and its anchor pulled free, sending it aground.  Needless to say, I was uneasy about dragging into the deep water.  Again, the Azipods and bow thruster took some of the pressure off the anchor, and we were able to hold the ship in position, 300 yards from the drop off, until the wind began to abate around 1000.
 
At 1600, after a survey of the Baltimore appoach channels, USCG Captain of the Port opened the Port of Baltimore to returning traffic.  We were quite pleased that Carnival Pride was invited to come first.  At 1640 we were underway for Baltimore, and “finished with engines” 3 hours and 20 minutes later at South Locust Point.
 
The professionalism of the Captain and his crew is well worth noting.  That’s my story.  It was quite a night.

Bill Band

###

So, I recently received an email from one of our owners telling me that he missed my prose. Guess it’s time for a new blog!

I’m not really sure how time has flown by so quickly that it is already August, but all of a sudden I’ve realized that show season starts next month. Holy Cannoli!

First and foremost, an exciting announcement. The brand new Krogen 52′  will  be making her grand debut in Seattle at the Boats Afloat Show on South Lake Union from September 14-18!! Since this new model was announced we’ve been keeping our fingers crossed that 5201 would be completed and shipped in time for this show – and it’s worked. But don’t feel left out East Coasters. If you can stand the wait, 5202 will be in Florida for the Fort Lauderdale TrawlerFest and the Miami International Boat Show in February.

Hmm, let’s see. Other updates… Oh! The second of the Krogen 48′ AE fleet was delivered to Annapolis over the weekend. She’s been in Florida where they’ve been working on her commissioning and  just took her first voyage with Gregg Gandy, her new owners, and Power and Motoryacht Magazine writer, Bill Pike, on board. It was evidently an amazing trip – including an hour and a half battle with a blue marlin! You can read more about that HERE.

Other than that I am teeing up for a hectic fall schedule of boat shows! We have Seattle and Newport kicking off September 14 and 15 respectively which are followed by the Krogen Cruiser’s Owner’s Rendezvous in Solomon’s Island, Maryland Sept 29-Oct 2, Baltimore Trawler Fest Oct 6-9, the Annapolis Boat Show Oct 13-16, the Annapolis Open House on Oct 22, the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show Oct 27-31 and finally the San Diego Trawler Fest Nov 10 – 12. PHEW!! Will be busy, but will also be a lot of fun. For all the links to the shows and to see what models we will have there, click HERE.

Sorry no photos this time, I’ll get some up soon!