Back to Search
Pacific Clipper
Designer: Tord Sunden/Cheoy Lee  ·  Builder: Cheoy Lee Shipyard Ltd.(Hk)  ·  First built: 1956
+ Add to Compare
About the Pacific Clipper

Built by Hong Kong's renowned Cheoy Lee Shipyard from 1956, this classic 25-footer represents the golden era of traditional yacht construction. Designer Tord Sunden created a quintessential cruising sailboat with timeless proportions and robust build quality that has earned respect among blue-water sailors for decades. The Pacific Clipper's long keel configuration with transom-hung rudder provides exceptional directional stability and comfortable motion in seaways, making it well-suited for coastal cruising and short offshore passages. With a displacement of 5,500 pounds and generous ballast ratio, this substantial little yacht tracks beautifully and handles heavy weather with confidence. The comfort ratio of 29.13 confirms its seakindly nature, while the conservative capsize screening value reflects excellent stability characteristics. Constructed entirely of teak by master craftsmen, these boats showcase the exceptional woodworking skills Cheoy Lee was famous for during this period. The fractional sloop rig is easily managed by a small crew, and the 19.5-foot waterline provides surprising interior volume for extended cruising. With only 50 hulls produced, the Pacific Clipper remains a rare find that appeals to traditionalists seeking a well-built, go-anywhere cruiser with genuine character and proven seaworthiness.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 25.00 ft / 7.62 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 19.50 ft / 5.94 m
Beam 7.17 ft / 2.19 m
Max Draft 3.90 ft / 1.19 m
Displacement 5,500.00 lb / 2,495 kg
Ballast 2,240.00 lb / 1,016 kg
Design & Construction
Hull Type Long keel w/trans. hung rudder
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction Wood (Teak)
Designer Tord Sunden/Cheoy Lee
Builder Cheoy Lee Shipyard Ltd.(HK)
First Built 1956
Number Built 50
Owner Reviews

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

Performance Ratios
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
40.73
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
331.14
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
29.13
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
1.63
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. 5.92 kn
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. 499.57 pounds/inch
How It Compares

vs. Cape Dory 25D, Frisco Flyer, Rhodes Idler, South Coast 25, Vertue

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Pacific Clipper ★
25.0 ft
Cape Dory 25D
25.0 ft
Frisco Flyer
25.0 ft
Rhodes Idler
25.0 ft
South Coast 25
25.0 ft
Vertue
25.0 ft
LWL
Pacific Clipper ★
19.5 ft
Cape Dory 25D
19.0 ft
Frisco Flyer
19.5 ft
Rhodes Idler
20.0 ft
South Coast 25
20.5 ft
Vertue
21.5 ft
Beam
Pacific Clipper ★
7.2 ft
Cape Dory 25D
8.0 ft
Frisco Flyer
7.2 ft
Rhodes Idler
8.0 ft
South Coast 25
7.5 ft
Vertue
7.2 ft
Displacement
Pacific Clipper ★
5 lbs
Cape Dory 25D
5 lbs
Frisco Flyer
5 lbs
Rhodes Idler
6 lbs
South Coast 25
4 lbs
Vertue
9 lbs
Ballast
Pacific Clipper ★
2 lbs
Cape Dory 25D
2 lbs
Frisco Flyer
2 lbs
Rhodes Idler
1 lbs
South Coast 25
1 lbs
Vertue
4 lbs
Sail Area
Pacific Clipper ★
Cape Dory 25D
304 sq ft
Frisco Flyer
311 sq ft
Rhodes Idler
South Coast 25
299 sq ft
Vertue
395 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Pacific Clipper ★
Cape Dory 25D
234 s/nm
Frisco Flyer
306 s/nm
Rhodes Idler
South Coast 25
258 s/nm
Vertue
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Pacific Clipper ★
Cape Dory 25D
16.4
Frisco Flyer
16.0
Rhodes Idler
South Coast 25
18.4
Vertue
14.1
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Pacific Clipper ★
40.7 %
Cape Dory 25D
40.0 %
Frisco Flyer
40.7 %
Rhodes Idler
21.7 %
South Coast 25
42.9 %
Vertue
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Pacific Clipper ★
29.1
Cape Dory 25D
23.8
Frisco Flyer
29.1
Rhodes Idler
South Coast 25
20.3
Vertue
47.7
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Pacific Clipper ★
1.63
Cape Dory 25D
1.86
Frisco Flyer
1.63
Rhodes Idler
South Coast 25
1.86
Vertue
1.35
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Pacific Clipper ★
331
Cape Dory 25D
333
Frisco Flyer
331
Rhodes Idler
334
South Coast 25
217
Vertue
Hull Speed
Pacific Clipper ★
5.9 kts
Cape Dory 25D
5.8 kts
Frisco Flyer
5.9 kts
Rhodes Idler
South Coast 25
6.1 kts
Vertue
6.2 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Pacific Clipper ★
Cape Dory 25D
1.5
Frisco Flyer
1.5
Rhodes Idler
South Coast 25
2.7
Vertue
Find a Pacific Clipper For Sale