Cheoy Lee Clipper 42 Sailboats for Sale & Market Overview

The Cheoy Lee Clipper 42 stands as a definitive example of the "traditional" aesthetic that dominated the cruising world in the late 1960s and 1970s. Designed by the esteemed A.E. "Bill" Luders Jr., this model was the flagship of the Clipper series, which included the smaller 33 and 36-foot versions and the expansive 48. While many yachts of this era attempted to blend modern lines with classic touches, the Clipper 42 leaned fully into the romanticism of the sea, featuring a dramatic clipper bow, a graceful wineglass transom, and a ketch or schooner rig that remains a head-turner in any harbor. Built during a transitional period for the shipyard, these vessels utilized heavy hand-laid fiberglass for the hull while maintaining the extensive teak joinery and trim that established Cheoy Lee’s reputation for craftsmanship. According to historical records maintained by the Cheoy Lee Association, the Clipper series was a commercial success that solidified the builder’s presence in the North American market, offering a rugged, blue-water capable alternative to the more contemporary designs of the time.