Cheoy Lee Pedrick 43 Information, Review, Specs

Sailing Performance & Handling

The handling characteristics of the Pedrick 43 are defined by David Pedrick’s expertise in reducing wetted surface area while maintaining a powerful, upright stance. Unlike the full-keel Cheoy Lee designs of the 1960s, the Pedrick 43 features a deep fin keel and a skeg-hung rudder, a configuration that provides a balanced helm and precise tracking. According to the archives at Pedrick Yacht Designs, the vessel was engineered to be a versatile performer, utilizing a high-aspect rig that excels in light-to-moderate air—a common weakness in earlier, heavier Cheoy Lee models.

The Displacement/Length ratio of the Pedrick 43 sits in the "moderate" category, providing enough mass to punch through a heavy head sea without the pounding associated with lighter, modern "flat-bottom" cruisers. Owner anecdotes often highlight the boat’s stiffness; it carries its sail area well into the 20-knot range before requiring a first reef. Because the hull was designed during the transition from the IOR (International Offshore Rule) era, it avoids some of the more extreme "tumblehome" and pinched-stern tendencies of its contemporaries, resulting in much more predictable behavior when running downwind in a swell.

Interior Comfort & Variations

True to the shipyard’s heritage, the interior of the Pedrick 43 is a showcase of Burmese teak joinery, which was often harvested and processed in-house by Cheoy Lee. The layout typically features a traditional offshore arrangement: a forward V-berth with a private head, a voluminous main salon with a U-shaped settee, and a dedicated navigation station. However, the Pedrick 43 was offered in multiple configurations to suit different cruising styles. Some variants were produced with a "tri-cabin" layout, incorporating a second aft head and twin guest cabins, though the two-cabin version remains more popular for its expansive storage and larger galley.

The cabin sole is typically solid teak and holly, and the overheads were often finished with vinyl panels that could be removed for access to deck hardware. Headroom is generous throughout the main cabin, often exceeding 6'4", which was a significant improvement over the more cramped "Offshore" series. Sibling models built on similar design principles include the Pedrick 36 and the larger Pedrick 47, the latter of which shares the 43's distinctive low-profile cabin house and sleek deck lines.

Known Issues & Buyer’s Checklist

Prospective buyers of a Cheoy Lee Pedrick 43 must account for the specific construction methods used by the yard during the 1980s. While the hulls are robustly molded GRP, several high-signal areas require professional inspection:

• Teak Deck Integration: Many Pedrick 43s were delivered with thick teak side decks. Over decades, the thousands of screws used to fasten the wood can allow moisture to penetrate the balsa or foam core. Inspect the interior overheads for water stains and use a moisture meter on the side decks.
• Stainless Steel Quality: Cheoy Lee operated its own foundry. While this allowed for beautiful custom fittings, the metallurgy of "Cheoy Lee Stainless" from this era is occasionally prone to crevice corrosion compared to 316-grade steel. Pay close attention to chainplates and stem fittings.
• Fuel and Water Tanks: The original tanks were often made of black iron (fuel) or stainless steel (water) and were sometimes fiberglassed into the hull structure. Replacing these tanks can be a major surgical undertaking if they have developed leaks.
• The "Cheoy Lee Smile": Check the leading edge of the keel-to-hull joint. Like many fin-keel boats of this age, stress at the joint can lead to hairline cracks in the fairing compound, which may indicate the need for re-torquing keel bolts.

Community & Resources

The primary hub for technical data and historical records is the Cheoy Lee Association, a highly active owner-run organization. This resource is invaluable for finding original blueprints, wiring diagrams, and specific advice on sourcing replacement parts for the unique foundry-cast hardware found on the Pedrick 43.

The Verdict

The Cheoy Lee Pedrick 43 is a connoisseur’s cruiser that offers a rare bridge between the era of heavy-built "gentleman’s yachts" and the modern age of performance sailing.

Pros:

• Timeless Design: The Pedrick lines remain elegant and do not look dated compared to 1970s-era IOR boats.
• Exceptional Joinery: The interior woodwork is of a quality rarely seen in modern production vessels.
• Offshore Capability: A heavy-duty build and skeg-hung rudder make it a legitimate candidate for world cruising.

Cons:

• High Maintenance: The extensive teak (both on deck and below) requires significant labor to maintain.
• Aged Systems: Original plumbing and electrical runs are often due for a complete overhaul.
• Tankage Access: Replacing failed internal tanks is a notoriously difficult and expensive task.