CHEOY LEE 38
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 37.92 ft |
| LWL | 30.67 ft |
| Beam | 12 ft |
| Draft | 5.68 ft |
| Displacement | 17,500 lb |
| Ballast | 7,000 lb |
| Hull speed1.34·√LWL | 7.4 kn |
Rig & Sails
| Iforetriangle height | 45.5 ft |
| Jforetriangle base | 14.5 ft |
| Pmainsail luff | 40.6 ft |
| Emainsail foot | 13 ft |
| PYmizzen luff | 25 ft |
| EYmizzen foot | 9 ft |
| FLforestay | 14.5 ft |
| Mainsail | 614.9 sq ft |
| Jib (100%) | 329.9 sq ft |
| Spinnaker | 560.8 sq ft |
| SA total | 715 sq ft |
About the CHEOY LEE 38
Available as a sloop. Sail area: 715 ft².
The Cheoy Lee 38 is a classic ketch designed by Ray Richards and built by Cheoy Lee Shipyard Ltd.(HK), with production records indicating a build year of 1968. This vessel represents a specific era of high-quality construction, characterized by its substantial displacement of 17500.0 lb and a beam of 12.0 ft.
- Best for:
- This boat is best suited for experienced coastal cruisers and those seeking a comfortable, stable platform for short-to-medium offshore passages, given its heavy displacement and ketch rig configuration.
- Bluewater capability:
- With a displacement of 17500.0 lb and a capsize ratio of 1.85, the Cheoy Lee 38 demonstrates strong offshore stability and seakeeping ability, making it well-suited for bluewater cruising.
- Comparables:
- Comparable vessels include other heavy-displacement ketches from the late 1960s and early 1970s, such as the Tartan 38 or O'Day 38, which share similar beam dimensions and cruising-oriented performance profiles.
Performance
Estimated Value
Low ConfidenceAsking price by model year
5 listings · boat years 1969–1985 · median $15,000
Each dot is one listing · hover for details · dashed red line marks the median · obvious data-entry outliers (top & bottom 2.5%) excluded.
Estimated Cost of Ownership
Based on 37.92ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
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Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
4 reported issues across 3 systems for the CHEOY LEE 38, compiled from owner reports in sailing forums and owner-association material.
Unlock the full inspection report
Thinking of buying a CHEOY LEE 38? This is an in-depth report on the faults this model is known for — so you know exactly what to check when you walk the boat. For the price of a coffee.
- ✓ All 4 specific issues — severity, symptoms & fixes
- ✓ Model-specific pre-purchase inspection checklist
- ✓ Downloadable PDF to take to your surveyor — yours to keep
One-time $2.99 · secure checkout by Stripe · instant access · 30 days online, PDF yours to keep
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