1966 Cheoy Lee Gulf 40

Built in 1966, this Cheoy Lee Gulf 40 is a fiberglass-hulled classic designed for extended ocean voyaging. At nearly 40 feet with a beam of just under 11 feet, she carries the long keel and heavy displacement characteristic of Cheoy Lee's bluewater reputation. A single 40-horsepower Perkins diesel engine drives her at a cruising speed of 6.5 knots, with a maximum of 7.2 knots.

The interior accommodates three cabins and two heads. The aft cabin was raised from the original design in the 1980s to improve headroom and livability, and later fitted with a dedicated work bench for oceanographic research. The layout reflects decades of refinement for extended cruising.

This boat has benefited from substantial structural and mechanical upgrades. In 2014, the Perkins engine was rebuilt and refurbished. A complete electrical system replacement and modern navigation electronics were installed in 2022. The year 2024 saw a new rudder and rudder block custom-built and installed, a new port forward chainplate fabricated, and the deck reinforced internally with ten structural beams to enhance rigidity. These modifications demonstrate a commitment to maintaining and strengthening the hull for offshore capability.

The yacht has accumulated tens of thousands of nautical miles under sail, including a full circumnavigation in the 1980s and continuous voyaging since. From 2023 to 2024, she served in a citizen science initiative collecting oceanographic data. She represents a rare example of a Gulf 40 still actively sailing and capable of extended blue-water cruising.