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A CHEAP Bluewater Cruiser Built in Taiwan? Ep 289 - Lady K Sailing
August 10, 2024 · 13 min · 110K views
What this video covers
The Mason 43 and 44 are heavy-displacement, Taiwan-built cruising sailboats designed by Al Mason for Pacific Asian Enterprises.2:15 These vessels feature solid fiberglass hulls, balsa-cored decks, and mahogany plywood bulkheads.4:20 The Mason 44, an evolution of the 43, incorporates design improvements including a relocated aft companionway, lowered cockpit seating for better ergonomics, and increased ballast.7:27 While the boats are noted for their high-quality joinery and sea-kindly motion in heavy weather, they are tender in light air due to a large mainsail that requires early reefing.9:58 Common owner-reported issues include leaky teak hatches, marginal icebox insulation, and difficult engine access for the Perkins 4108 or Yanmar powerplants.8:02 The boats are considered capable ocean crossers, though their narrow beam and low ballast-to-weight ratio cause them to heel quickly before stiffening up.6:29 Owners generally praise the build quality and balance, often describing them as "forever boats" despite the maintenance requirements of older, complex systems.11:53
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