1972 Cheoy Lee Model Too Old ?

[reiner]

We are looking at a 72mod Sheoy Lee Midshipman 40 ft in Australia.
It is a ketch with wooden masts and has a 107 Perkins motor which is the original motor. The boat is in fairly good condition.
I have friends who say it is to old and could cost a fortune down the road others seem to think it shouldn't matter.
We like the layout and have read a lot of good things about Cheoy Lee's.
I would love to know what the general opinions are out there.

[James S]

If the wooden masts are painted you should be very careful to insure they are not rotten.
The decks can also have problems with water intrusion into the core.

The hull may have blisters.

The wiring may have some issues.

If you are not very well versed in old boats then you would probably need a Surveyor to have a go over her.

Unless this is a very unusual case...this boat will require much time and expense to be a reliable ocean cruiser...if you just want a live-aboard...it may be just fine.

[SuenosAzules]

I have surveyed these old Cheoy Lees many times. Even the much older ones from the 1960's. They were truly built to last, and were quality sail boats. However on these older boats it truly depends on how well they were maintained over the years. So anything goes I guess you could say. I will say that the Perkins Diesel engines were well made engines and are known to be very reliable (providing they had proper maintenance). Your best bet is to get it surveyed by a qualified marine surveyor. You should be there for the survey as well so you can see things for yourself as everything is being inspected. I just conducted a survey of a 1969 Cheoy Lee Sloop two months ago and spent almost 10 hours going through the entire vessel. This included the sea trail and a full inspection on six different sails that were on board. Have your surveyor go over everything, be there with them, and make your own judgment after the inspection and report is finished. That is the best advice I could offer.

[reiner]

Originally Posted by SuenosAzules

I have surveyed these old Cheoy Lees many times. Even the much older ones from the 1960's. They were truly built to last, and were quality sail boats. However on these older boats it truly depends on how well they were maintained over the years. So anything goes I guess you could say. I will say that the Perkins Diesel engines were well made engines and are known to be very reliable (providing they had proper maintenance). Your best bet is to get it surveyed by a qualified marine surveyor. You should be there for the survey as well so you can see things for yourself as everything is being inspected. I just conducted a survey of a 1969 Cheoy Lee Sloop two months ago and spent almost 10 hours going through the entire vessel. This included the sea trail and a full inspection on six different sails that were on board. Have your surveyor go over everything, be there with them, and make your own judgment after the inspection and report is finished. That is the best advice I could offer.

Thank you for your advice John.The Cheoy Lee we are looking at has wooden masts too so I'm thinking to get a rigger to look at the masts closely as well and maybe a mechanic to check out the motor.
The boat looks like it has been idle for some time but I guess a good survey will tell.

[roverhi]

1992 Old????? Better not tell that to my 1969. Any boat more than 5 years old needs to be looked at carefully. If a boat was maintained well, hardware was installed properly and upgrades and replacements done when necessary, age is really not all that pertinent. A 10 year old boat actually could be the worst one to buy. The electronics will probably be archaic, the engine may be having issues, and problems with poor or improper construction begining to raise their ugly heads.

I'm a little curious about the wooden masts. Cheoy Lee pretty much went to alloy spars back in the '70s. Surprized that a boat built in '92 would have wood sticks. Some people think wood is way better than alloy for a crusing mast but they do require maintenance.

[callmecrazy]

I think he meant 72

[Svsilvergirl]

Done a lot of sailing on a friends 38 foot 1972 cheoy lee . Has beautiful spruce mast . Teak decks are usually a worry for me , but his cheoy lee actually haas solid mahogany core , no plywood . Love the boat . Would feel safer pointing that boat anywhere you wanted to go . We went out sailing on the first of january this year , 26 degrees out and blowing like hell . We jumped in behind a bunch of fin keel race boats , that were racing on the columbia river . We flew his spinnaker , and went by them all like they were tied to the dock . Way more wind than I ever would have flown a chute , but gordon its a good sailor and knows and trusts that cheoy lee

[barnakiel]

Oh I can only wish our boat were 1992! If 1992 is too old then I would keep away from any CL!

I have recently been on a 1969 S&S - and she was not too old at all!

b.

[reiner]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

Oh I can only wish our boat were 1992! If 1992 is too old then I would keep away from any CL!

I have recently been on a 1969 S&S - and she was not too old at all!

b.

Yes it is a 72 model, I just had a look at my first message . I'm not to worried but if enough people tell you the same thing you start to worry.
I got a 83 H28 and that is not to old either. It sails and looks beautiful.
I agree it all depends how well it has been looked after. A survey should tell.
Thank you for all the feedbacks.

[Nc4fl]

1972 Cheoy Lee....very good boat in it's day. was very much wanted at the time by serious sailors.
look in the nov/dec issue of Good Old Boat.
I restored a 1972 C/l Luders 36 a few years ago and it is the Featured Boat
in Good Old Boat issue that will shortly be at the news stands.
There are no specific Issues with the boat that I know of.
jim

[zeehag]

cheoy lee wasnt just a very good boat in its day--it still IS a very good boat. built to last and to cruise.

[James S]

Welcome to the forum Jim...have you got any pictures or her?

[Cheechako]

yes... too old. esp a CL

[Blue Stocking]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

yes... too old. esp a CL

Don't say that in front of my 1965 Cheoy Lee-built Rhodes Reliant.
More solid hand laid-up 2oz mat and 24oz woven roving than any 3 "built- by -the- mile, cut- at-40ft" modern wonders.

[sneuman]

Good old boats are still that -- good (and old). In the days of wood, they committed suicide, but with fiberglass comes a certain immortality. After that, it's just a question of time and money and how much of each to spend.