1980 Cheoy Lee Motorsailer

There is a very high probability that the next owners of this yacht already know a lot about her. She certainly won't be your first boat. Everyone who dreams of long voyages over the horizon knows the Cheoy Lee 53 Motorsailer. This is very simply the best offering of a very rare breed. Yachts capable of taking you anywhere on the planet in comfort and saftey. They don't build a lot of them because very few people actually go cruising. This is a true trawler and a true bluewater sail yacht combined to create a class of vessel that hasn't been repeated. The upgrades and continuous care that this particular girl has received make her a rare value in a rarer class. As you read this listing you will understand the thought, care and frankly the investment these owners have made. 

To begin with she has been re-powered with John Deere commercial grade engines. A new set of rigging, furling and sails along with all of the paint, varnish, new stainless ports, new electrical wiring and panels..... everything that most boats of this vintage have been putting off has been done, recently and professionally.  

There is no deferred maintenance or "next project" here. This is the definition of Turn-Key. 

Overview

She was designed by Seaton and Neville and every design decision of this yacht was made towards the core goal of a yacht that could take a couple and guests across any ocean, to any destination in safety and comfort and be supplied to stay as long as you like. Priorities include a deep, heavy, double-ender hull form, a heavy and easily managed sailing set up, almost endless storage, heavy construction and an emphasis on liveability and large common spaces. These owners have enhanced these features with the addition of a custom hard-top to enclose the giant aft deck area creating a covered patio that becomes the heart of the vessel. In addition to the full beam saloon and galley area and the aft master with private laundry and bath, she lives like a much larger yacht. 

One of the most striking differences is that upon boarding you step into the covered aft deck area. The owners commissioned this custom cover to be an additional upper deck, with Kevlar overhead beams. The result is a shaded aft deck lounge that can be fully enclosed against foul weather or bugs, and also an upper deck for handling sail and equipment.  

From the aft deck you move forward finding no teak decks, and all sails and rigging recently replaced. The new sails are easily handled with the new Pro-Furl rigs and the sheer size of the boat lend themselves to great outside deck space to hang out and enjoy the sun and breeze. 

Take a swim in the tropic water from the expanded, custom swim platform and explore with the new tender. 

Stepping inside, the boat transforms into a classic passagemaker pilothouse trawler. A full beam pilothouse, surrounded by windows and seating and a helm and dash with a much wider array of instrumentation than most sailboat helms have room for. If you are headed south to the artic, you will do so in your fuzzy slippers, running your diesel furnace, with your hot coffee! If the heat of Bora Bora is a little strong, step in and run in the AC for a while! 

A few steps down and you are back in a large, luxurious sailing yacht. The galley makes up the aft section of a large saloon with the circular/preferred layout. Two things that don't stand out until you look is the abundance of refrigeration and storage. Accessible but not obtrusive is enough storage to plan for a years long voyage and still have all your favorite treats along the way. In addition to the galley fridge/freezer is a very large holding plate system in the starboard/forward of the saloon. 

Move forward and you will find a desk/nav station and two generous staterooms with head, stowage lockers and filled with light from the new ports and prism lights. In addition to generous space for your guests and their gear, the forward areas offer additional storage for all the supplies you need. 

Aft of the saloon galley is a full beam master with laundry, lounge and large head and shower. The hanging lockers are designed to be large enough to allow for the clothing needed for a world adventure that includes sarongs for the south pacific and parkas for the artic!  

There is a long list of replacements, updates and upgrades that can be provided to serious inquiries.  

This is a niche yacht for the serious cruiser. She reflects the time, knowledge and attention of her owners and shows like the investment she represents. 

Hull Improvements and Updates

• Painted by Morris Yachts in Maine 
• Any blemishes are touched up during her annual haul out 
• Yearly sanding and repainting of the bottom; all zincs are replaced 
• Running gear is treated with Propspeed 
• The bottom was stripped and epoxy coated when purchased 
• All through hull fittings are checked, and serviced if necessary 
• The rudder bearings and packing were replaced in 2023 
• A “fish tail” was added to improve slow speed handling 
• The props have been repitched 
• The bow thruster, tank, pump and controls have been replaced 
• Stainless shielding was added to the bow and anchor hawse pipe 
• All portlights have been replaced with New Found Metal stainless units 
• A custom swim platform with removable panels and a stainless ladder system was installed 
• Added a towing eye and cleat 

Topside Improvements and Updates

• Decks, cabin trunk, and pilot house have been repainted 
• Pilothouse and salon windows removed and rebedded 
• A large aft hard to with sliding hatches, Kevlar beams, teak eyebrow and trim, 110 and 12 volt lighting, 2 large solar panels, rainwater collection system, and a canvas/isinglass enclosure 
• All bright work has been professionally maintained to the highest standard; stripped to bare wood with 12 coats of varnish applied in 2022 
• Toe rails have been removed and rebedded, including all hardware, bow rail, and stanchions 
• The Anchor winch has been rebuilt and rewired to the main electrical panel 
• Replaced anchor chain and fittings 
• New anchor chain and 8 plait line and fittings 
• Replaced 2x deck shower units 
• All deck prisms rebedded 
•  Running, steaming, masthead, and deck lights 
• 8-man Viking life raft 
• New dingy with 25 hp motor 
• Replaced all cockpit and deck cushions 

Rigging Improvements and Updates

• Replaced all standing and running rigging 
• New heavy duty cruising sails 
• 3x New sail furlers 
• New winches 
• Replaced all chain plates 
• Replaced mizzen boom 
• Heavy duty spinnaker pole 
• New masthead fittings 

Updates Engine and Mechanical

• 2x Engines replaced with John Deere 135 hp Turbo Diesels 
• Replaced exhausts, including generator, to hull exit 
• Replaced shafts (Monel) 
• Replaced Generator with a 15 KW Westerbeake 
• Replaced 3x A/C units 
• Steering hydraulic pump, cylinders, and hoses 
• Batteries house and starting 
• 3x Bilge pumps 
• Freshwater pump 

Tanks Improvements and Updates

• 2x New black water holding 
• New fuel tank 
• New hot water unit 

Electrical Improvements and Updates

• Main panel 
• Subpanel (engine room) 
• Inverter 
• Most of the wiring 

Electronic Upgrades

• New equipment 
• EPIRB 
• Radar/ with weather 
• GPS 
• Auto Pilot 
• VHF and masthead antenna 
• Navigation system with extra-large monitor 
• Depth gauge 
• Wind instruments with masthead fittings 
• Stereo system 
• 3x TV’s 

Interior Upgrades

• New equipment and work 
• Refrigerator 
• Microwave/ convection oven 
• All countertops 
• Floors refinished 
• Most walls refinished 
• Replacement teak where necessary 
• Heads repainted in Herreshoff style 
• Aft head replaced 
• Forward head rebuilt 
• All built in seating upholstered 
• Wooden window blinds 
• 6x High quality oriental rugs 

Mechanical Disclaimer

Engine and generator hours are as of the date of the original listing and are a representation of what the listing broker is told by the owner and/or actual reading of the engine hour meters. The broker cannot guarantee the true hours. It is the responsibility of the purchaser and/or his agent to verify engine hours, warranties implied or otherwise and major overhauls as well as all other representations noted on the listing brochure.

Disclaimer

The company offers the details of this vessel in good faith but cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. A buyer should instruct his agents, or his surveyors, to investigate such details as the buyer desires validated. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change or withdrawal without notice.

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