CHEOY LEE 48
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 47.83 ft |
| LWL | 38.96 ft |
| Beam | 13.75 ft |
| Draft | 6.5 ft |
| Displacement | 32,300 lb |
| Ballast | 13,000.8 lb |
| Hull speed1.34·√LWL | 8.4 kn |
Rig & Sails
| Iforetriangle height | 55.9 ft |
| Jforetriangle base | 19 ft |
| Pmainsail luff | 48.8 ft |
| Emainsail foot | 17.3 ft |
| PYmizzen luff | 31.75 ft |
| EYmizzen foot | 13 ft |
| FLforestay | 19 ft |
| Mainsail | 986.9 sq ft |
| Jib (100%) | 531.1 sq ft |
| Spinnaker | 902.8 sq ft |
About the CHEOY LEE 48
Aft & Center Cockpit models. Cutter or ketch. Sail area aft cockpit: -Cutter: 984 ft² / 91.4 m² -Ketch: 1,033 ft² / 95.97 m² Sail area Mid cockpit: -Cutter: 988 ft² / 97.8 m² -Ketch: 1,033 ft² / 95.97 m²
Designed by Robert H. Perry and built by Cheoy Lee Shipyard Ltd.(HK), the Cheoy Lee 48 is a substantial cruising yacht with only 40 hulls built in 1980. Its heavy displacement of 32300.0 lb and fin keel configuration reflect a design philosophy prioritizing stability and seakeeping over speed.
- Best for:
- This boat suits experienced coastal and offshore cruisers who value comfort and protection, as evidenced by the high prevalence of watermaker installations (30 mentions) and extensive canvas upgrades like dodgers (137 mentions) and biminis (23 mentions).
- Bluewater capability:
- With a low capsize ratio of 1.73 and high comfort ratio of 36.56, the boat is well-suited for offshore passages, though potential structural concerns regarding keel smiles and deck cores require careful verification.
- Comparables:
- Comparable to other heavy-displacement, fin-keel cruising yachts from the late 1970s and early 1980s, such as the Hallberg-Rassy 43 or O'Day 42, due to similar displacement ratios (D/L 243.84) and cutter rig configurations.
Performance
ORC Performance Data(1 certificate)
Measured performance data from ORC (Offshore Racing Congress) certificates.
Polar Diagram
Boat speed (kn) vs. true wind angle. Source: ORC
Racing Ratings
Triple Number
ORC Measured
Sail Areas (ORC)
Speed Table (kn)
| TWA \ TWS | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 20 | 24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 52° | 5.1 | 6.0 | 6.7 | 7.2 | 7.4 | 7.6 | 7.7 | 7.7 |
| 60° | 5.4 | 6.4 | 7.0 | 7.5 | 7.7 | 7.8 | 8.0 | 8.0 |
| 75° | 5.7 | 6.6 | 7.3 | 7.7 | 8.0 | 8.1 | 8.3 | 8.4 |
| 90° | 5.7 | 6.8 | 7.5 | 7.9 | 8.1 | 8.3 | 8.6 | 8.8 |
| 110° | 5.7 | 6.9 | 7.6 | 8.0 | 8.3 | 8.6 | 8.8 | 8.9 |
| 120° | 5.6 | 6.7 | 7.5 | 8.0 | 8.3 | 8.6 | 9.1 | 9.3 |
| 135° | 5.0 | 6.2 | 7.1 | 7.7 | 8.1 | 8.4 | 9.0 | 9.6 |
| 150° | 4.2 | 5.3 | 6.3 | 7.1 | 7.7 | 8.0 | 8.6 | 9.2 |
| Beat VMG | 3.2 | 4.0 | 4.5 | 4.8 | 5.0 | 5.1 | 5.2 | 5.2 |
| Run VMG | 3.6 | 4.6 | 5.4 | 6.1 | 6.7 | 7.2 | 8.0 | 8.5 |
Estimated Value
Limited DataEstimated Cost of Ownership
Based on 47.83ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
20 reported issues across 9 systems for the CHEOY LEE 48, compiled from owner reports in sailing forums and owner-association material.
Unlock the full inspection report
Thinking of buying a CHEOY LEE 48? 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 20 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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