Cheoy Lee Pedrick 47 Information, Review, Specs

Sailing Performance & Handling

The Pedrick 47 is characterized by its powerful, high-aspect rig and a hull form that favors speed on all points of sail. Unlike its predecessors, which often featured full or long keels, the Pedrick 47 utilizes a deep fin keel and a skeg-hung rudder. This configuration significantly reduces wetted surface area, allowing the boat to accelerate more quickly in light air and point closer to the wind. Owners often report that the boat feels exceptionally well-balanced, a hallmark of David Pedrick’s design philosophy which prioritizes "seaworthiness through symmetry."

With a displacement-to-length ratio that places it firmly in the "medium displacement" category, the vessel retains enough mass to provide a comfortable motion in a seaway without the sluggishness associated with older heavy-displacement cruisers. Its tracking is helped by the substantial skeg, which protects the rudder while providing directional stability that allows the helm to remain light even when the boat is pressed. According to historical technical notes from the Cheoy Lee Association, the Pedrick designs were specifically intended to move the brand toward a "European" performance standard, resulting in a yacht that can maintain high average speeds during long-distance passages.

Interior Comfort & Variations

The interior of the Pedrick 47 showcases the hallmark of Cheoy Lee’s craftsmanship: an abundance of hand-finished teak and high-quality joinery. Unlike the "dark" interiors often found in older yachts, the Pedrick 47 features a more open layout with better-positioned portlights and hatches to increase natural light. The standard configuration typically includes a large V-berth forward with a private head, a spacious main salon with a U-shaped settee, and a dedicated navigation station that rivals those found on much larger vessels.

One of the primary variations for this hull was the choice between a two-cabin and a three-cabin layout. The two-cabin version offers a cavernous master suite aft, often featuring a centerline queen berth and an en-suite head with a separate shower stall—a luxury for a boat of this vintage. The three-cabin variant was more popular with charter operators or large families, splitting the aft section into two separate double berths. Cheoy Lee also produced a sibling model, the Pedrick 36, which utilized many of the same design cues and construction methods but on a smaller, more manageable scale for coastal cruising.

Known Issues & Buyer’s Checklist

While the Pedrick 47 is a robustly built vessel, prospective buyers should pay close attention to several "age-related" areas common to yachts of this era and builder:

• Teak Deck Condition: Many Pedrick 47s were delivered with thick teak decks bedded in Thiokol and fastened with screws. Over decades, the bungs can wear down and the sealant can fail, leading to water intrusion into the sub-deck. A thorough moisture inspection of the core is essential.
• Chainplate Inspection: As with many performance cruisers of this period, the stainless steel chainplates are subjected to significant loads. Buyers should inspect the points where the chainplates pass through the deck for signs of crevice corrosion or "bleeding," which indicates moisture reaching the buried metal.
• Osmotic Blistering: While Cheoy Lee was a pioneer in fiberglass, some hulls from this period are known to develop osmotic blisters. While usually cosmetic, a haul-out and moisture meter test are required to ensure the hull laminate remains dry and structurally sound.
• Engine Access and Maintenance: Depending on the interior configuration, access to the primary diesel engine (often a Perkins or Westerbeke) can be tight. Prospective owners should verify the service history of the cooling system and the state of the engine mounts, as vibrations in these stiffer GRP hulls can lead to fatigue over time.

Community & Resources

The primary hub for technical data, historical brochures, and owner support is the Cheoy Lee Association. This group maintains an extensive archive of original blueprints and parts lists, which is invaluable for owners looking to restore a Pedrick 47 to its original specifications. Because David Pedrick is still a figure in naval architecture, his firm, Pedrick Yacht Designs, remains a point of reference for the design’s broader historical context.

The Verdict

The Cheoy Lee Pedrick 47 is an elegant, capable, and relatively fast blue-water cruiser that offers a more modern sailing experience than the shipyard's traditional models. It is an ideal choice for the sailor who appreciates the warmth of a classic teak interior but refuses to compromise on windward performance or handling agility.

Pros:

• Excellent pointing ability and light-air performance for its size.
• Superior interior joinery and woodwork typical of Cheoy Lee’s master craftsmen.
• Strong, seaworthy construction capable of serious offshore passages.
• Balanced handling with a light touch on the helm.

Cons:

• Potential for high maintenance costs associated with aging teak decks.
• The IOR-influenced hull shape can be "rolly" when sailing directly downwind in heavy seas.
• Aging electrical and plumbing systems often require comprehensive upgrading for modern cruising needs.