Steve’s research on cruising boats was taking up a lot of space by the time he reached his decision on the right boat. A mason 43 would give him supreme blue water performance and his family the space they needed. Imagine his surprise when good friend Ray Pierce had one sitting in Halifax, Nova Scotia. With Ray’s encouragement Steve and De purchased Whitestar in the summer of 2006. The rest of the summer was spent making minor preparations like upgrading and loading the nav system. Special thanks to Ray for sharing his knowledge of this great vessel and his encouragement to follow our dreams.
Design and Construction
The 43 Al Mason design, with long overhangs, a springy sheer and conventional full keel with an attached rudder and cut away forefoot is based upon the earlier Mason 40, which was a wooden racer-cruiser. Design shapes dictated by wood construction and perfected over generations, have been employed; the reason: it works offshore, offering a lot of hull volume for stowage, easy motion in a seaway, high positive stability, and respectable average speeds.
The below-decks layout is expansive for a boat with only a 31-foot-8-inch waterline, having good double cabins fore and aft and a reasonable pilot berth on the main saloon. Five bunks can be left made up while cruising, and with four aboard no one has to sleep in the saloon. With accommodations pushed well aft, the companionway has been shifted off center to starboard. The aft cabin of the 43 is one of the best aft cabins ever built. It is completely accessible to the saloon, has a full bulkhead at the head of both bunks, has a door that closes completely, its own hanging locker and ample cupboard space, and is light and airy with its three opening ports. Lastly, the single berth to starboard is an excellent sea berth.
The Perkins 4-108 50 HP engine is installed below the cabin sole over a deep bilge sump. The engine ’s location maximizes cabin volume while keeping weight low and allowing the prop shaft to be aligned parallel with the waterline for best efficiency. Bulletproof is the word to describe the construction the Mason 43. Exceptionally fine construction features include full-length longitudinal stringers glassed into the hull. A heavily built bridge deck protects the offset companionway. The solid glass is more than an inch thick at the top of the keel and maintains a half-inch thickness to the gunwale. The lead ballast is encapsulated in the keel providing a hugely strong appendage that can withstand a head-on collision with a coral head or submerged rock without risking actual hull damage or leaks. The rudder is attached to the trailing edge of the keel and incorporates an aperture for the three-blade prop.
Layout
The galley is a traditional offshore U shaped configuration galley to port. It includes a gimballed stainless steel propane stove and oven, two stainless steel sinks, spice rack, locker storage and over/under counter storage. The refrigerator/freezer system, with 2 large holding plates and both top and front-loading insulated lids, keeps the provisions cold. There is plenty of pots and pan storage and pantry/grocery storage. There is 200 US gallons of water in five stainless tanks. A six gallon stainless water heater provides hot water for the galley and head. The pressure water system is backed up with fresh/salt water foot pumps in the galley and head as well. Storage is good, with four hanging lockers, including a wet locker at the bottom of the companionway stairs. Forward cabin has a double berth with slide out extension, hanging locker, 3 large drawers and numerous smaller lockers. Next to port is the head with marble top vanity sink and a large separate stall shower. Opposite to starboard, is a large double-door hanging locker. In the main saloon, a convertible C-shape dinette is to port with an extendible settee and a pilot berth to starboard. Bookcases and numerous lockers are outboard. Next is a U-shaped galley to port. Opposite to starboard is a wet locker and navigation station with full size chart table. Aft is the master cabin/stateroom with double berth to port, centerline hanging locker and single quarter berth starboard. Interior joinery is hand rubbed teak in satin varnish finish.
Handling
Designed to float at 23,860 pounds of displacement, after cruising equipment, anchors, spares and full tanks are added, the boat displaces close to 30,000 pounds. Under power, the boat will steam at close to 6 knots in flat water, slowing to five or less in a head sea. With the rudder quite far forward by modern standards, the turning radius is large and the docking manoeuvres required slow and deliberate. When backing, the stern will follow the turn of the prop instead of the rudder, so stern-to manoeuvres are a little tricky; practice improves this. Underway, the helm is a little heavier than today’s more modern boats which sport a balanced spade rudder, but tracking is excellent and she is easily sailed by the helmsman or steered by the autopilot. 100 US Gallons of fuel carried in two steel tanks provides for extended cruising when the wind is less favourable.
Under sail the boat is a surprisingly good performer, despite the displacement and extensive wetted surface. The Mason 43 is powered by 899 square feet of sail divided between the three sails of a double-spreader cutter rig. The moderate-aspect ratio mainsail provides good drive off the wind without the need for jibs that are too large for two to handle. The staysail stay is held to a heavily reinforced deck plate by a quick-release fitting.
Running before a steady breeze, such as the trade winds, the boat will maintain a 6.5 knot average; in variable conditions the average drops to 5.5 knots and going to windward in breezes between 8 and 25 knots the average is 6.0 knots. In blue water terms, the boat will knock off 150-mile days without strain. Going to windward, the waterline lengthens as the boat heels. The boat is happiest at 15 degrees of heel and should be reefed accordingly. It will tack through 85 degrees but when the hull’s 5 degrees of leeway is factored in the result is an effective tacking angle of 95 degrees.
The Mason 43 is a proven passage maker with lots of ocean miles to back up this claim. She’s a great hostess when entertaining friends. A safe home in a blow where she heaves to well under staysail and reefed main, lying surprisingly close to the wind with a comfortable motion. Over 100 were built, including 10 with ketch rigs, before the Mason 44 replaced the model. The Mason 43 represents one of the best in the long-distance blue water cruising boats.
Boat Specifications
LOA 43′8″
LWL 31′3″
Beam 12′4″
Draft 6′3″
Sail Area 899 sq. ft.
Displacement 23,860 lbs
Ballast 9,400 lbs
