Built by Taiwan's Ta Shing Yacht Building from 1978 to 1985, this Al Mason-designed cutter represents classic offshore cruising capability wrapped in traditional aesthetics. With 180 hulls launched during her production run, the Mason 43 earned a solid reputation among serious cruising sailors seeking both comfort and seaworthiness. The design emphasizes blue-water capability with a fin keel configuration and substantial displacement of 25,000 pounds, providing the stability and carrying capacity essential for extended voyaging. Her cutter rig offers excellent sail handling flexibility, particularly valuable when managing varying wind conditions offshore. The conservative sail area-to-displacement ratio of 14.49 prioritizes steady, predictable performance over racing speed. Notable for her impressive comfort ratio of 39.21, this design delivers the motion characteristics appreciated during long passages, while the capsize screening value of 1.68 confirms her suitability for ocean crossings. The fiberglass construction from Ta Shing, renowned for quality craftsmanship during this era, contributes to the boat's enduring reputation for structural integrity. With a theoretical hull speed of 7.49 knots and powered by a 50-horsepower engine, the Mason 43 appeals to cruising couples or families prioritizing safety, comfort, and proven ocean-going credentials over pure performance.
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What is the Mason 43's sail area to displacement ratio?
The Mason 43 has a Sail Area to Displacement ratio (SA/D) of 14.49. Values between 14–18 are typical cruising sailboats; 18–22 is cruiser/racer; over 22 is performance racing.
What is the Mason 43's comfort ratio?
The Mason 43 has a Ted Brewer Comfort Ratio of 39.21. A ratio over 30 indicates good offshore comfort; over 40 is very comfortable offshore.
Is the Mason 43 safe for offshore sailing?
The Mason 43 has a Capsize Screening Formula value of 1.68. Values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing; under 1.8 is ideal.
What is the hull speed of the Mason 43?
The theoretical hull speed of the Mason 43 is 7.49 kn knots, calculated from its waterline length.
How much does a Mason 43 weigh?
The Mason 43 has a displacement of 25,000.00 lb and a length overall (LOA) of 43.83 ft.
Who designed the Mason 43?
The Mason 43 was designed by Al Mason, first built in 1978.