Back to Search
Clipper 48 Ketch Cheoy Lee
Designer: A. E. Luders  ·  Builder: Cheoy Lee Shipyard Ltd.  ·  First built: 1979
+ Add to Compare
About the Clipper 48 Ketch Cheoy Lee

Built by the respected Hong Kong shipyard Cheoy Lee, this 48-foot ketch represents the builder's commitment to traditional craftsmanship and seaworthy design. Cheoy Lee earned a solid reputation among cruising sailors during the 1970s and 1980s for producing well-built fiberglass vessels that combined Oriental woodworking traditions with Western sailing concepts. The Clipper 48's ketch rig configuration makes it particularly appealing for offshore cruising and long-distance sailing. The divided sail plan offers excellent balance and versatility, allowing sailors to reduce sail area progressively in heavy weather while maintaining good helm control. This rig setup also provides multiple options for sail combinations, making single-handed or short-handed sailing more manageable. Cheoy Lee boats from this era are known for their robust construction, generous interior accommodations, and practical deck layouts. The Clipper 48 would have featured the builder's characteristic attention to interior joinery and finish work, creating comfortable living spaces below deck. While not designed for racing, this ketch excels as a capable cruising platform suited for coastal exploration and ocean passages, offering the reliability and comfort that serious cruising sailors seek.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 47.92 ft / 14.61 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 34.00 ft / 10.36 m
Beam 13.00 ft / 3.96 m
Max Draft 6.00 ft / 1.83 m
Displacement 31,000.00 lb / 14,061 kg
Ballast 13,000.00 lb / 5,897 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 1,182.00 ft² / 109.81 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Long Keel
Rigging Type Masthead Ketch
Construction FG
Designer A. E. Luders
Builder Cheoy Lee Shipyard Ltd.
First Built 1979
Owner Reviews

No owner reviews yet — be the first to share your experience with this boat.

Performance Ratios
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
19.24
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
41.22
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
1.66
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 7.81
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 1.0
Find a Clipper 48 Ketch Cheoy Lee For Sale