A family shipbuilding tradition
Cheoy Lee traces its origins to a family-operated shipyard established in Shanghai in the late 1800s. The Lo family moved the business to Hong Kong in 1936, beginning the chapter that developed into the Cheoy Lee Shipyards known today.
The yard initially concentrated on commercial vessels and powered cargo craft. By the mid-1950s, Cheoy Lee had expanded into teak sailing yachts and motor yachts, many of them built for export to the United States. The company remained family owned as later generations of the Lo family continued the shipbuilding tradition.
Pioneering fiberglass construction
Cheoy Lee was an early adopter of fiberglass boatbuilding. As the material became practical for larger vessels, the yard moved from traditional wooden construction into fiberglass yachts and later became known for composite construction. That willingness to combine established craftsmanship with newer materials became an important part of the company’s identity.
Penny’s Bay and Hunky Dory
Cheoy Lee operated its Penny’s Bay shipyard on Lantau Island from 1964 until 2001. It was there in 1979 that Hunky Dory’s hull and major construction were completed. She was then shipped across the Pacific to Seattle, where Davis Marine completed her final fit-out and commissioning.
The Penny’s Bay yard produced both yachts and commercial vessels during a period of significant growth for Cheoy Lee. The site was eventually closed as the surrounding area was redeveloped, and the company moved its primary shipbuilding work to a modern facility in mainland China.
Cheoy Lee today
Cheoy Lee remains a family-run shipbuilder, now guided by fourth- and fifth-generation members of the Lo family. The company continues to build yachts and commercial vessels, including tugs, ferries, pilot boats, crew boats, and other specialized craft.