Design and Construction
Cheoy Lee had moved fully to fiberglass by the mid-1960s, and the Pedrick 55 reflects that mature composite era in solid fiberglass hull and deck construction. She is a heavy boat with a stout, well-built rig, and owners describe a deep, ten-ton keel that anchors her low in the water. The 46-foot waterline and 16-foot beam give her volume, while a capsize ratio near 1.76 and a comfort ratio of 37.65 mark her as a stable, long-legged passagemaker rather than a light-displacement racer.
Rig and Handling
The sloop rig centers on a ForeSpar aluminum mast with SS Dyform standing rigging reported to remain lightly used, paired with a rebuilt Navtec hydraulic backstay and vang. A Leisure Furl boom and Schaefer 2100 jib furling system simplify sail handling, and large electric primary winches plus an electric mast winch make raising and lowering the main a low-effort task. On the wind she sails to weather like a freight train and tracks well regardless of angle or conditions, with her best performance in the 12 to 20 knot breeze sails best in the 12-20 knot wind range.
Accommodations
Below, the boat provides three staterooms and two head compartments, with berthing for eight. The interior is finished in mahogany joinery with varnished teak and holly decks, set against white surfaces and headliner for a restrained, traditional cruiser aesthetic. That layout supports either private cruising or, uniquely for a foreign-built hull, a MARAD exemption on at least one example — a rarity that permits carrying up to 12 passengers at a time.
Refit and Ownership
A five-year major rebuild between 2005 and 2009 on the 1986 hull transformed the vessel; the owners report she emerged a far better, stronger, and more well-equipped boat than as delivered. The electrical suite on that boat illustrates the upgrade path, with a 3000W Victron inverter/charger, a Victron solar controller serving 340W SunPower panels, and a full LifePO4 12V battery system. Such systematic modernization is the kind of ownership history that signals a cared-for Pedrick 55.
The Verdict
The Pedrick 55 is a heavily built sloop with the ballast and rig integrity for serious offshore work, and her furling and electric-winch outfit makes that capability accessible to a short-handed crew. The three-stateroom, eight-berth interior is traditional rather than vast, but the refit histories show these hulls respond well to modernization. A rare MARAD exemption on some boats broadens their charter potential.
Pros
- Deep ten-ton keel and 20,000 lb lead ballast for steady offshore behavior
- Stout rig with hydraulic vang/backstay and low-use Dyform stays
- Electric winches and furling boom ease short-handed sail handling
- Proven circumnavigation and refit record on documented hulls
Cons
- Heavy displacement limits light-air performance outside 12–20 knots
- Traditional three-cabin interior is not expansive for the length
