The Burger Boat Company, one of the most historic names in American boating, just launched hull number one of its new aluminum Burger 48 Cruiser line with a christening ceremony that included the Mayor of Manitowoc, Wisconsin, where Burgers are built. The Mayor gave a key to the city to Cyndy Stiehl, the boat’s owner, and said the project provided work for Burger’s 85 employees. For her part, Stiehl christened the boat Blue Boat Home (the hull is a custom blue color) and said she had wanted a Burger since she first saw one as a teenager.
Founded in 1863, Burger usually makes large boats, yachts up to 260 feet. Jim Ruffolo, the company’s president, said the smaller Burger 48 Cruiser is an alternative to production boats while it gives an owner a chance to customize each one to his or her desires. Ron Cleveringa, Burger’s VP of sales and marketing, said, “This reintroduces Burger Boats to a whole new marketplace.”
A sedan cruiser with a low profile, clean lines and large windows and glass doors, the Burger 48 was designed with Vripack Naval Architects in the Netherlands. Burger said it has the same quality, workmanship and attention to detail that are hallmarks of Burger’s larger yachts.
The new 48 has two staterooms below with en suite heads and showers. The owner’s full-beam stateroom is aft and has a queen-sized bed plus a private sitting area, large picture windows and two opening portlights. The guest cabin is forward with a queen-sized bed; push a button and it separates into two singles.
The salon is filled with natural light from large windows and an electrically-operated sunroof, and opening windows forward on the port and starboard sides. It also has a large galley and U-shaped dinette.
For comfort, the boat has a Seakeeper gyro stabilizer, while a hydraulic swim platform provides easy access to water sports. There’s a large garage in the transom, as well as a hidden barbeque. A large hardtop extends over the cockpit for protection in any kind of weather.
Power comes from twin 600-hp Volvo diesels and IPS pod drives for easy maneuvering, low sound levels and greater fuel efficiency. With Vripack’s Radical Slide Hull, the Burger 48 is projected to cruise at 30 knots and top out at about 35 knots, with a range of about 300 nm.
Specs.: LOA: 48’4”; Beam: 15’2”; Draft: 3’5”; Disp.: 33,000 lbs.; Fuel: 580 gals.; Water: 135 gals.; Power: 2×600-hp Volvo D8 IPS800s.
