The Clipper 48 Ketch Cheoy Lee is well-powered with enough sail area to move in light air, with a gentle bluewater motion.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 34.0′, the Clipper 48 Ketch Cheoy Lee tops out around 7.8 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √34.0′ LWL = 7.8 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
SA / Displacement
19.2
Powerful cruiser/racer — quick in light air, reef early when it pipes up.
Ballast / Displacement
41.9%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
352
Heavy displacement — a slow, steady, seakindly hull.
Comfort Ratio
41.2
Very comfortable in a seaway — a genuine bluewater motion.
Capsize Screening
1.66
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
1lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
Motion & Offshore Suitability
Two ratios that matter most when you're planning passages — how the boat feels in a seaway, and whether the hull geometry is suitable for open ocean.
Comfort Ratio
41.2
Very comfortable in a seaway — a genuine bluewater motion.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
1.66
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Clipper 48 Ketch Cheoy Lee sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Golden Wave 48
66s/nm
Tartan 48
80s/nm
Hans Christian 48
120s/nm
Estimated Speed by Wind
Rough boat speed estimates at different true wind speeds and points of sail — derived from hull speed, SA/D, and displacement, not measured polars.
| Point of Sail |
6 kts TWS |
10 kts TWS |
15 kts TWS |
20 kts TWS |
| Close-hauled40–50° |
3.3 |
4.2 |
4.7 |
4.9 |
| Close Reach60° |
4.0 |
5.1 |
5.7 |
5.9 |
| Beam Reach90° |
4.9 |
6.2 |
6.9 |
7.2 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
4.5 |
5.7 |
6.4 |
6.7 |
| Run150–180° |
3.6 |
4.6 |
5.1 |
5.3 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.8 kts),
SA/D (19.2), and empirical efficiency curves — not instrument-measured
polars. Real-world speed varies with sea state, bottom condition, sail trim, and current.
Speeds in gold approach hull speed;
bold gold means near or at hull speed.
Wind Range & Comfort Envelope
Estimated wind ranges for comfortable sailing on the Clipper 48 Ketch Cheoy Lee — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–6 kts
6–20 kts
20–30 kts
30+ kts
Ghosting
0–6 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
6–20 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
20–30 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
30+ kts
Storm conditions. Storm jib or bare poles. Seek shelter if coastal.
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Clipper 48 Ketch Cheoy Lee.
|
Clipper 48 Ketch Cheoy Lee |
Golden Wave 48 |
Hans Christian 48 |
Mariner 48 Stadel |
Seafarer 48 |
Tartan 48 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
47.9 |
47.8 |
47.8 |
47.9 |
48.0 |
48.0 |
| LWL |
34.0 |
40.6 |
41.3 |
39.2 |
33.0 |
36.0 |
| Beam |
13.0 |
15.9 |
14.3 |
13.5 |
11.8 |
14.0 |
| Displacement |
31 |
32 |
44 |
37 |
30 |
28 |
| Ballast |
13 |
— |
14 |
11 |
15 |
— |
| Sail Area |
1 |
1 |
1,125 |
— |
1 |
— |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
66 |
120 |
— |
— |
80 |
| SA/Disp |
19.2 |
19.5 |
14.5 |
— |
17.4 |
— |
| Bal/Disp |
41.9 |
— |
33.4 |
29.7 |
52.3 |
— |
| Comfort |
41.2 |
29.7 |
45.7 |
— |
46.0 |
— |
| Capsize |
1.66 |
1.99 |
1.62 |
— |
1.53 |
— |
| Hull Speed |
7.8 |
8.5 |
8.6 |
— |
7.7 |
— |