Cheoy Lee 48

[Tom Amato]

I am in the process of closing on a CHeoy Lee 48'. can anyone give me advise and counsel on what to look for. I have an engineer going over the boat in 2 weeks but i am very nervous about this transaction!

[idpnd]

related thread here

I've just bought my first big boat and it can be nerve-wrecking. If you get a survey you don't have much to worry about really.

[James S]

Bulk head rot around the companion way
soft spots/water in the deck core.
Tank..tanks...tanks...if they start leaking the day after you buy it what will be required to correct them...in some cases it mean complete destruction of that beautiful cabin to get them out.

[bstreep]

As was said above, a good survey will tell you a lot. And, it will likely scare the carp out of you - and that's ok. Every boat has problems, most have some big problems. If it's more than 20 years old... Just think of what a 20 year old car would be like if you took it to your mechanic!

What year/model is your 48?

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha Tom,
In addition to what others have already said I believe almost all the Cheoy Lees had teak decks. After years of use they develope leaks. Owners will either recaulk or take them up and fiberglass them which is a better although less beautiful fix. Check all your metal fittings and make certain they are in good shape and have no stress cracks.
Cheoy Lees are very beautiful boats if well cared for.
regards,

[Delaminated]

As said, get the best surveyor money can buy. He will tell you how Cheoy Leakies are built, low grade SS , far east black iron fuel tanks that develop inspection ports on the tops and bottoms, water soluble glues in plywoods, water logged keels with blisters the size of hub caps. And thats before he steps aboard that water cushioned deck.

[nowbythebay]

Lost my 48 ft Magnificent Cheoy Lee Yacht off North Carolina on 11/2009. 3 blown out thru hulls in a mild 1300 NM journey. My advise! Make sure your CERTIFIED Surveyor knows about sailboats not just powerboats! ...Just think if you hired a surgeon...to operate on your loved one.....you better know how to put on your own gloves and hand them the instruments because, so far I have experienced absolutely no trust with the "CERTIFIED SURVEYOR" title.
Mine said" good strong boat" after a 3 day survey and told me an emailed copy was to follow... In confidence of his excellent report , I had hired a professional crew to sail my vessel home.)

This time period of inspection included a week on the hard with hours of "INSPECTIONS", witnessed by me, with NO negative recommendations. A few minor recommendations were immediately addressed.


I Trusted Board Certified inspectors/ SURVEYORS and still lost my boat as it fell apart in a very quiet sail from PR to Beaufort NC. . The 3rd & final thru hull failure happened, at night in a storm, 30 miles from home.

My advice....get full resumes and references with inspectors.

For you Sailing novices, if you got a perfect inspection on a house and came home from settlement on your new home to find the Entire roof had fallen in....and the foundation had CRUMBLED....how would you feel? Who would you question?

I'VE Been trying to sort it out since my yacht sank, at Thanksgiving and my subsequent Helicopter rescue at sea during the storm and ohh yea...at night.... in the dark.

Just saying..... to all newcomers, any women especially..."forewarned is forearmed".

Someone in this boating community MUST be held accountable to the buyers of a vintage Yachts if you want any of your vessels to hold values.

SURVEYORS!!!!

The current standard of certifications for suryeyors needs MAJOR IMPROVEMENT! May this post move along this process for the benefit of all dedicated Sailors, who love sailing as much as I do.

I know I sound a bit disillusioned...but I do state this position to help all of you, be aware and not caught off kilter , as I was. Someone told me since this experience...get 3 appraisals.
Funny thing, the 3 things he recommended. I did before I knew anything really.
Full Rigging check,
Engine inspection and
Full Boat survey in the water ...a 2 hour Sea trial and on the hard for several days.

Sooo... I have learned something as a newbie Yacht owner, I want to share 4 THINGS!

1. Figure about $1800.00 just to have it looked at...Surveyed thoughly. AND get all 3 reports in writing before you move off the hard & back to the water with recommendations, referrals & references, and full qualifications , in writing of all the people you have hired.

2. Have the owner pay all costs in the boatyard till certified results are in your hand. In fairness...Sellers may want to negotiate this. SOOOO negotiate!!!!

3. Have your insurance estimates for this vessel and verification from the insurance company...hard copies in hand before you hand over your purchase monies.

This matters because you will need to show your home cruising waters estimates to know what your final expenses may be monthly. If you move this boat back to the water and something happens on the way in the yard....who pays? Think about everything!

4. You MUST check where your insurance companys home port is. US or foreign based.....doesn't matter if it's cheaper because If you have a problem and cannot collect because they are internationally based. Why pay anything? Want to hire an attorney in Russia to collect your money?

If you want Real insurance...find out the parent company is!
USA based!!!

I have looked for answers to my general SURVEYOR & INSURANCE questions all over the internet , and the info. is all very vague or not answered at all.

Ok ....I hope some of you will reply and help address some of these concerns, for ALL future buyers and boaters!

Thanks for letting me participate!

[nowbythebay]

You looked at a 49 foot cheoy lee... was it the Lazy Jack? I bought one in Nov 2009.

[bstreep]

Actually, there's no need for THREE surveys. Choose your first and only one wisely. Even if you have to fly him/her in. Mike Firestone has been flown all over the place, because he's so good. I'd buy his airfare and time, in a heartbeat.

I'm a real estate appraiser, and my best friend, a real estate inspector. We BOTH have quite expensive E & O Insurance. Make sure your surveyor does, as well. No one is perfect - that's what insurance is for.

[Tom Amato]

i bought my cheoy lee and sailed it about 400 mile around florida get it home to jacksonville. so far i am pleased but is have a lot of questions

[Laidback]

Was that a Fishing Trawler - How many thru hulls? I guess the normal practice of tying tapered wooden plugs (from West Marine!) was not followed or were not found during the time that the bilge pumps were being serviced as a precaution. Guess it was a fishing boat,
certainly gave off that distinctive perfume.

[nowbythebay]

Originally Posted by Tom Amato

i bought my cheoy lee and sailed it about 400 mile around florida get it home to jacksonville. so far i am pleased but is have a lot of questions

Tho' I don't know your vintage Cheoy Lee Yacht. JUST DO IT ANYWAY! Replace the thru hull system from front to back!!

Best regards, Susan ( the newbie Sailor) with new eyes.

[Cal 43]

Susan -

Recently read here on the Forum on another thread about your ordeal a couple of months ago. What a nightmare for you! But thanks so much for sharing your story (hope it didn't mess up your insurance claim). We are currently hauled out & now REALLY checking out all of our thru hulls (Thanks to You). Hope others with good ol' boats will too.

I posted this question on another thread the other day with no response, but I'm wondering, now that you're an "expert" at thru-hull failures, if you might have an opinion about the TruPlug Thru-Hull Plugs available from www.forespar.com



Soft & rubbery, 5"x 9"

Would these have made any difference on LazyJack?

[James S]

They look OK to me...it would nice to hold one in my hand and get a feel for the materials dencness...also I don't see an obvious place to put a tie...I suppose you could drill one.
I did see something similar of another color that looked like they had barbs of some sort...that may be preferable.

[Hampus]

The problem with with the rubber ones, as far as I can see and without having held one, is that they won't expand. A wooden plug will expand when exposed to water and after a while it will be very difficult to get out. For better or worse, mostly better...

/Hampus