Summit 54

I have long admired the Kadey-Krogen line of offshore cruising powerboats.

The seaworthiness of their design and construction appeal to me, as someone who has completed numerous Great Lakes crossings and ocean passages. Like me, you may dream of setting a course for distant horizons, but too often life’s realities interfere. Built by Kadey-Krogen, Summit Motoryachts diverge from their brethren by combining fresh modern styling with the faster speeds coastal cruising necessitates. The Summit 54 is a great example, as the boat features the robust construction and fine finishes Kadey-Krogen is known for, in a boat designed for the types of cruising and faster speeds most of us enjoy.

Getting aboard the new Summit 54 helped me understand what the boats are all about. The layout is inviting with an aft deck lounge accessed either from twin stairwells off the swim platform or convenient side doors. The covered aft deck with a U-shape lounge and table is perfect for open-air dining or simply hanging out. Twin bar stools and a counter with a pop-up window connect this area to the adjacent galley inside. A stairwell with substantial stainless handrails leads up to the flybridge above. Whether at the dock waiting to go or while running the boat up the coast, the gathering areas felt roomy and comfortable even with five adults and two kids onboard. Having two young kids and their grandparents with us during the sea trial gave the Summit a friendly family feel, although it’s equally suited for couples cruising.

Interior features

The galley on our test boat features Silestone counters atop optional high-gloss horizontal grain walnut drawers and cabinet faces. Amtico cabin soles look like teak and holly but are more durable and easier to maintain. The large central galley is equipped with a microwave/convection oven, a two-burner electric cooktop, and drawer-style fridges, freezers and dishwasher. Unique touches from its offshore cruisers include a deep stainless sink on centerline to limit splashing, locking storage shelves in the cabinets, and grabrails and handles for safety underway. A convenient garbage drawer pullout includes both trash and recycling bins. In the corner of the galley, where access is difficult, the counter lifts electrically revealing a hidden pantry that is both practical and fun. Storage is abundant throughout the galley and boat, where even small spaces open, providing stowage and access to service equipment.

Steps up from the galley is a comfortable lounge and the lower helm. Joinery is impeccable on the drawers and cabinets here that include a flat-screen TV on a lift. The gloss walnut panels are so shiny my laser tape measure lost its signal. The helm pod contains a compass, twin Garmin MFDs, VHF, autopilot, throttles and optional joystick, all within easy reach. The Northern Lights generator gauges, C-zone system, Seakeeper, Remote Maxwell windlass and Fusion stereo controls are in a separate panel to centerline. While this is beyond the reach of the helm, I don’t mind, as most of these don’t need to be tended much while driving.

The position of this utility panel at the top of the stairs is a bigger concern. With little kids like those onboard, I recommend a swing-out door to block the stairs while underway. Visibility from the helm is excellent with thin mullions in the curved windshield and good sightlines even in the danger zone. A door adjacent to the helm provides convenient access to the side deck and allows you to step outside and still reach the controls when docking.

Below deck accommodations include a full-beam primary stateroom with an athwartships king bed (optional) and a private ensuite head. Twin nightstands feature power for cellphone charging, switches and storage drawers. Accouterments include a wide-screen TV, an ample hanging locker, and a convenient seat for dressing or lounging, which alternatively can be a desk. A VIP cabin forward features a center island bed and a large overhead hatch. Thoughtful touches include bookcases, a small vanity, hanging lockers and ensuite head access. A third cabin with bunks can be included below, or the lower lounge on our test boat can be used for sleeping.

Designed to perform

Michael Peters, in conjunction with Kadey-Krogen’s design team, created this planing hull to perform, and our sea trial provided challenging conditions. As we ran up the coast of Florida, 3- to 4-foot following seas on our stern quarter were not ideal. The optional Seakeeper 9 Gyro certainly helped and the Zipwake Dynamic Trim-Control System probably would have, too, if it were set up.

Once settled in, we ran steadily, and steering was easy — even the autopilot was able to handle the conditions. It wasn’t the most comfortable angle to cruise at, but we were safe and in control. We made some maneuvers and the Summit gently leaned into the turns, and when pointed into the wind sliced through the waves without fuss or excessive spray. Back on course we enjoyed the fresh breeze under the hardtop of the open flybridge. The adults conversed and the two kids wrestled on the forward sunpad like puppies till they fell asleep. It was nice having them up there as they were safely enclosed and you could keep an eye on them while driving.

On the cruise up the coast, we ran 24 mph at around 2950 RPM, which felt good and used 45 gph. This matched our reciprocal test runs in the St. Lucie River away from the wind and waves and provided a calculated range of 367 miles based on 90% of fuel capacity. Dropping the RPMs to 2750 slowed us to 21 mph and increased range to 411 miles. Bow rise never exceeded 4 degrees with trim tabs manually activated, and sound levels even at high speed were a reasonable 79dB at the helm.

Strong and solid

One thing I noticed during the cruise was how solid the Summit 54 felt. Built in the same yard, Asia Harbor in Taiwan, as all Kadey-Krogens, Summit yachts incorporate advanced composite technology. Solid glass hulls below the water use machine-cut precision cloth kits hand laid in multiple layers with water-resistant vinyl ester resin. Above the waterline, hull sides are vacuum bagged with Corecell foam for better strength to weight, and all hull penetrations are solid FRP. Hull panels use straight fibers that are stronger than woven matts and both biaxial and quadriaxial fibers as reinforcement. An extensive glassed-in stringer network creates a strong, rigid hull as does a keel with 13/16-inch solid fiberglass sides and bottom encapsulating a high-density closed-cell foam insert. Hull and deck are connected using a shoebox joint and fastened both mechanically (bolted) and with adhesives. A water-tight bulkhead at the aft end of the chain locker aids collision protection. High-quality materials are used throughout, including Armorflex 953 isophthalic gelcoat designed specifically for marine use. Summit Motoryachts are painstakingly constructed to ensure durability and longevity.

If you admire the quality finishes and impeccable construction of Kadey-Krogen but want contemporary styling and a faster boat perfect for coastal cruising, the Summit 54 delivers. The layout is ideal for families or couples, and includes plenty of room for entertainment. You can still dream of distant shores, but with the Summit 54, you can arrive a little sooner and have time to stay for the weekend.