Cheoy Lee Clipper 42 Buyer's Guide
The Cheoy Lee Clipper 42 is a 1972-onwards A. E. Luders, Jr.-designed ketch with fifty built, a solid fiberglass long-keel hull and lead ballast. These are customizable teak-trimmed cruisers with three interior layouts, attractive lines, and a known leaning toward hidden water damage—exactly the sort of boat a viewing buyer should inspect with a flashlight and a nose for mildew.
Layouts on the Used Market
Clipper 42s came with three different interior layout options, and the large head seen on some boats is layout-dependent rather than standard. Buyers should treat the forwarded layout drawing as provisional: Cheoy Lees could be customized to whatever the buyer wanted, so a specific hull may differ from any brochure plan. The all-wood interior and exterior timber paneling define the look, and the teak deck overlay is universal.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
A freezer is commonly fitted, and a dodger and chartplotter are also commonly found on these boats. Beyond that, most other gear is owner-supplied. The factory Perkins 4-108 remains the reference auxiliary, and the roller-reefing main is a period feature owners advise against using—expect a slab-reef conversion on a well-prepared example. The auxiliary emergency tiller stows to come up through the cockpit floor just aft of the binnacle.
What to Inspect
Water damage is the headline risk. Owners report that chainplates leak and hatches leak, and that the timber ceiling hides the path because water runs behind the paneling and drips out elsewhere anchor. At a viewing, press the headliner and upper wall panels for softness, smell for must, and trace the chainplate bases on deck for cracked or discolored bedding. The engine bay is another trap: access is almost non-existent, so confirm whether the current owner has cut a service opening or whether you will be working blind anchor. The stuffing box is easy to reach through the cockpit lockers, so check it for weepage while you are there. Note also that the roller-reefing main should not be trusted in use, and the boat offers no clean mounting for davits, solar, or a wind generator without harming its lines.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
These boats typically appear in the United States and Spain. Before you commit, run this short check:
- Rebed every chainplate and hatch you can reach.
- Probe the timber paneling for hidden rot from leaks.
- Verify real engine access before purchase.
- Confirm the emergency tiller is present and stows correctly.
- Budget a slab-reef main conversion.
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Cheoy Lee Clipper 42. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 3 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 25 | 2 | $32,000 | — |
| Sep 25 | 1 | $54,900 | +71.6% |
| Dec 25 | 1 | $12,300 | -77.6% |
Where they're listed
Cheoy Lee Clipper 42 listings appear across 1 country. United States has the most listings with 2.
Country view
2 listings · 1 country| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $33,600 | 2 | 0 | 100.0% |
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
6 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bavaria Yachts Cruiser 42 | 42.62' | $ 115,390 | 37 | 10 |
| Whitby Yachts 42 | 42' | $ 63,130 | 18 | 0 |
| Valiant 42 | 42' | $ 299,999 | 18 | 4 |
| Moody 42 | 41.79' | $ 62,053 | 12 | 1 |
| Oyster Yachts 42 | 41.83' | $ 201,641 | 7 | 2 |
| Cheoy Lee Clipper 42You are here | — | $ 33,600 | 2 | 0 |