Cheoy Lee Clipper 48

Description

The Cheoy Lee Clipper 48 is the largest and rarest in the classic Clipper series (alongside the 33, 36, and 42), built by Cheoy Lee Shipyard in Hong Kong starting in 1979 (limited production, only about 20 hulls total). Designed by A.E. "Bill" Luders Jr., it's a traditional, heavy-displacement bluewater cruiser with elegant clipper bow, bowsprit, graceful sheer, and varnished teak accents—evoking classic Herreshoff-inspired lines while built in robust fiberglass to high standards (often Lloyd's compliant). Primarily offered as a masthead ketch (cutter-ketch setup with Yankee, staysail, main, and mizzen for shorthanded versatility), some were built or rigged as staysail schooners (2-masted with fore/aft rigs) or with alternative interiors (3 layouts noted, e.g., Plan A sleeping up to 9). This model prioritizes offshore comfort, stability, and head-turning aesthetics over high performance—ideal for long passages, liveaboard, or tradewind cruising. The long keel provides excellent tracking, grounding protection, and a comfortable motion in rough seas, though it's not quick upwind or in light air compared to fin-keel designs like Perry's.