Summit 54

A stylish coastal cruiser from the builders of Kadey-Krogen.

BY ARNIE HAMMERMAN

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. ★

Summit 54

Specifications

LOA: 58'5"

Beam: 15'10"

Draft: 3'7"

Weight (half load): 55,400 lbs.

Fuel Capacity: 750 gals.

Water Capacity: 215 gals.

Std. Power: 2 X 542-hp

Cummins QSB 6.7s

MSRP: Price on request

SUMMITMOTORYACHTS.COM

CONTACT

Summit Motoryachts

772-286-0171

Has plenty of range for coastal cruising and, at trawler speeds, longer passages.

Planing hull that provides the speed needed for weekend cruising.

Stairway directly off forward landing of the salon requires caution. With a standard bridge clearance of 20'6" the boat is slightly too tall for the 19.6' (lowest bridge) on the Great Loop on the Illinois River. However, Summit can hinge the radar array to allow enough clearance to complete the Loop.