1978–1989 · designed by Al Mason · built by Pacific Asian Enterprises / Ta Shing Yacht Building
Heavy-displacement full-keel offshore cutter. One of the most credible single-hand Pacific liveaboard platforms in the 40-45 ft range — proven across every major ocean by solo cruisers. Designed for seakindly motion, deck-level shorthanded operation, and bluewater durability.
This is a general read on the Mason 43 class — informed
background, not a verdict on any individual boat. Condition, refit history,
and how a particular hull was sailed and stored matter far more than class
reputation. Use it to know what to look for; for a read on a specific
listing, run a free FairKeel report on that boat.
At a glance
LOA
43' 10"
LWL
31' 3"
Beam
12' 4"
Draft
6' 3"
Displacement
25,000 lb
Ballast weight
8,400 lb
Hull form
Full Keel
Ballast type
Encapsulated Lead
Rudder
Keel Hung
Mast step
Keel Stepped
Hull construction
Fiberglass
Production
1978–1989
Built in
Taiwan
What the Mason 43 is known for
Heavily glassed hull-deck joint; reputation as a dry boat in heavy weather.
Cutter rig design supports progressive shortening — single-hand- able rig management in increasing wind without needing to leave the cockpit.
Strong owner community via Mason Yacht Owners group — institutional knowledge of class-specific issues is well-shared.
Known trade-offs
Below-WL access for through-hull replacement requires cabin sole or settee removal on most hulls. Drives up labor multiplier (1.5-2.0×) for any below-WL work.
Heavy displacement + small auxiliary engine on early hulls — the original Perkins 4-108 was undersized for Mason 43 displacement under power. Most cruising owners have repowered.
Interior teak joinery is dark and beautiful but absorbs moisture if not actively ventilated. Liveaboard-mode condensation is a real maintenance dimension.
Age-related quirks to expect
Original aluminum fuel tanks (early hulls)severity: Mediumaffects: 1978-1985
Stress cracking at the keel-hull rounding by year 35-45 (NOT a keel stub — this hull has no fin-keel stub; the relevant zone is the deadwood-to-hull rounding on the full-keel hull)severity: Mediumaffects: all (age-driven)
Teak deck (where fitted) reaching end-of-life by year 30-40severity: Highaffects: hulls fitted with teak decks
Original 1979-era through-hull fittings now at 45+ years. Replacement cluster is non-trivial on a full-keel hull — cabin sole removal often required for access to the deeper bilge fittings.
Original wire + tangs typically due at 25-30 years. Chainplates on the Mason 43 are bolted through teak-clad bulkheads — leak paths around chainplates often hidden behind joinery. Mast is keel-stepped, so mast- step bilge water history matters.
Engine (original Perkins / Westerbeke vs. repower)priority: offshore, coastal, liveaboard
Factory and review material identify the Perkins 4-108 as the Mason 43 engine — many have been repowered with Beta Marine, Yanmar, or modern Westerbeke equivalents. A repowered hull is a significant value-add; an original engine at 45 years should be assumed near end-of-life unless service records prove otherwise.
How it fits your plans
Offshore
Designed for it. Heavy displacement (~20,000 lb), full-keel motion, cutter rig (progressive shortening — main+staysail in heavy weather) — proven Pacific platform for single-hand crossings.
Coastal
Overbuilt for coastal work but a forgiving platform. Slower than fin- keel boats of the same LOA; not a coastal racer.
Liveaboard
Generous storage and tank capacity. Below-WL access challenging for DIY maintenance.
This guide is the class. A report is that hull. Paste the
listing you're looking at and FairKeel grades every claim in it against what's
known about the Mason 43 — where the evidence is thin, the red flags worth
a second look, the costs likely to land in your first season, and whether the
boat suits the plans you describe in a few short questions.
It won't read the photos or put a number on the boat — that's the $249
Deep-Dive, and for the real answer, a surveyor. It will tell you when a
Deep-Dive isn't worth buying. Free, no account, usually a minute or two.
Other people's videos, not ours, and not endorsements — walkthroughs and
reviews of this class that are worth watching before you look at one in person.