Mason 43
Built 1978–1985 by Ta Shing Yacht Building (Taiwan) for Pacific Asian Enterprises
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About the Mason 43
Researched from public sources for this model. Any individual boat may have been modified or repowered — confirm before relying on any figure.
- Built
- 1978–1985
- Builder
- Ta Shing Yacht Building (Taiwan) for Pacific Asian Enterprises
- Designer
- Al Mason
- Waterline
- 31.25 ft
- Draft
- 6.25 ft
- Hull
- fiberglass
- Hull / keel
- full keel
- Rig
- cutter
- Propulsion
- inboard
- Fuel
- 100 gal
- Water
- 200 gal
- Holding
- 20 gal
- Water heater
- 11 gal · AC + engine · standard
- Stern thruster
- not fitted
- Steering
- pedestal cable
Tank capacities — where the figures come from
-
Fuel 100 gal
“two black iron fuel tanks. These tanks total approx. 100 gallons” — owner's manual, mason-sailboats.org · “Fuel: 160 gals / 606 L” — spec database, boatsector.com · “Fuel capacity of the 44 is 160 gallons (a bit less in the 43)” — search excerpt, mason-sailboats.org · “130 gallons of fuel” — search excerpt (1985), boattrader.com · “two 50-gallon black iron fuel tanks” — search excerpt, mason44.comThe Mason 43 owner's manual from the builder, PAE, says every Mason 43 has two black-iron fuel tanks totalling about 100 gal, and the Nautical Quarterly review (two 50-gal tanks) agrees. The spec database's 160 is the Mason 44 figure, and one 1985 listing's 130 describes a single boat.
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Water 200 gal
“five stainless steel fresh water tanks totaling approximately 200 gallons” — owner's manual, mason-sailboats.org · “Water: 205 gals / 776 L” — spec database, boatsector.com · “180 gallons of water” — search excerpt (1985), boattrader.com · “five stainless-steel water tanks of 200gallon total capacity” — search excerpt, mason44.comThe owner's manual lists five stainless tanks totalling about 200 gal (an upper and a lower tank on each side, plus one more), matching the Nautical Quarterly review. The spec database's 205 is the Mason 44 figure; a 1985 listing says 180.
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Holding 20 gal
“MASON 43's are fitted with a 20 gallon fiberglass holding tank” — owner's manual, mason-sailboats.org · “a 20-gallon holding tank” — search excerpt (1985), boattrader.comOwner's manual gives a 20-gal fiberglass holding tank as fitted; a 1985 listing agrees.
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Water heater 11 gal · AC + engine · standard (American)
“The MASON 43 is fitted with a dual source hot water heater. Water is heated by means of both electricity and engine cool” — owner's manual, mason-sailboats.org · “The model provided in the MASON 44 is an American brand model designation EMH 11 and has a capacity of eleven gallons.” — brochure, mason44.comThe builder's (Pacific Asian Enterprises, PAE) Mason 43 owner's manual lists a dual-source (electric + engine coolant) American EMH 11 heater, and PAE's Mason 44 catalog gives that same model as 11 gal. Fresh water is about 200 gal in five tanks.
Tanks are often replaced or added on older boats — check the tank labels or a survey for yours.
Thrusters and steering — where this comes from
-
Bow thruster unknown
The builder's (PAE) owner's manual, in its systems chapters, never mentions a thruster, and no spec sheet or option list for the 43 was seen.
-
Stern thruster not fitted
Our earlier figure of none has no source, and nothing was found either way.
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Steering pedestal cable
“MASON 43's are fitted with a stainless steel and cast bronze steering pedestal. Steering is accomplished with a gear spr” — owner's manual, mason-sailboats.org · “the MASON 43 is engineered and fitted with an excellent emergency tiller ... stowed within the hanging locker forward on” — owner's manual, mason-sailboats.orgThe builder's (PAE) manual describes a pedestal wheel, sprocket and chain spliced to stainless cable over sheaves to a quadrant; an emergency tiller fits the rudder-shaft head aft of the pedestal. The pedestal maker isn't named.
Thrusters and steering are often replaced — check the units on your boat before ordering parts.
Sources disagree on displacement, ballast, length, beam, engines, deck construction, number built — left blank rather than guessed.
Solid hull; cored deck. Cutter or ketch. The engine sits under the saloon sole. Designed as an evolution of a wooden CCA-era full-keel yacht with attached rudder. Fuel and water figures in the sources are for the Mason 44.
Engines fitted
-
Perkins 4-108 — 50 hp, diesel, single
standard
Sailboatdata's original-equipment engine; a 1981 Mason 43 for sale still has a (rebuilt) Perkins 4-108.Sources: sailboatdata.com · yachtr.com
Generator
The builder's owner's manual mentions no generator (its electrical section covers batteries, AC/DC breaker panel and shore power), and no other source was found.
Manuals and brochures online
- Document PAE/Mason owners site - Boats page (index of builder brochures, spec sheets and drawings per model, as PDFs) — mason-sailboats.org
- Document PAE/Mason owners site - Manuals page (Mason 43 and Mason 44 owner manuals, as PDFs) — mason-sailboats.org
- Owner's manual Mason 43 Owner's Manual (Pacific Asian Enterprises) — mason-sailboats.org
- Document Mason 43 main deck plan and cross sections (Al Mason design drawing) — mason-sailboats.org
Hosted by the builder or an owners' association; they own the copyright.
Known problems for this model
-
Teak deck leaks (standard on the 43) deck
Teak decks were standard on the 43; screws through the teak can let water into the deck core (described as balsa by Practical Sailor, plywood by Blue Water Sailing).mason-sailboats.org · mason-sailboats.org
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Heavy brightwork and plywood trim rot other
Owners describe varnish upkeep as a burden, and one reported plywood dorade-box blocks delaminating and rotting within a few years.mason-sailboats.org
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Engine under the sole - poor access and bilge flooding risk engine
The engine sits low under the cabin sole, so a flooded bilge can submerge it and the front belts are hard to reach; a bilge float switch and alarm are recommended.mason-sailboats.org
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Painted steel fuel tanks, hard to access fuel
Fuel tanks are painted steel (water tanks stainless) and owners note difficulty accessing tanks for cleaning; unequal port/starboard tanks can cause a list.mason-sailboats.org
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Leaky teak hatches; suspect Taiwan stainless fabrications deck
Owners report leaking teak hatches (Lewmar replacements recommended) and questionable custom welded stainless fittings on earlier boats.mason-sailboats.org
Engines & parts
Perkins 4.108 parts: good
Factory standard engine — you entered “Perkins 4-108”
Out of production but very well supported. Trans Atlantic Diesels (TAD) sells complete aftermarket rebuild kits (pistons, liners, rings, bearings, gaskets, valves, guides, seals), heads, blocks, crankshafts, genuine Perkins camshafts, rebuilt injection pumps and injectors, Jabsco/Sherwood raw water pumps, heat exchangers, starters, alternators and elbows, plus rebuilt exchange engines. The Westerbeke 4-107/4-108 family and some industrial engines share the base design.
Parts sources: Trans Atlantic Diesels (TAD), Foley Engines
Common problems (1)
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Rear main (crankshaft) seal leak engine
The original rope-type rear seal is notorious for leaking and often starts leaking again a few hundred hours after replacement; Foley sells a nylon/Teflon replacement seal meant to cure it, and owners check the crankshaft sealing surface for pitting.foleyengines.com · boatdesign.net · forums.sailinganarchy.com
Maker’s service schedule (13)
| Engine oil & filter change 4.108(M) marine | 150 hrs or 3 mo | “4.107(M) and 4.108(M) Engines ... Every 150 hours or 3 months (whichever occurs first). Drain and renew lubricating oil” — manufacturer (1973), fujiyachts.net |
| Fuel filters & water separator 4.108(M) marine | 400 hrs or 1 yr | “Every 400 hours or 12 months (whichever occurs first). Renew final fuel filter element.” — manufacturer (1973), fujiyachts.net |
| Air filter / intake silencer 4.108(M) marine | 150 hrs or 3 mo | “Every 150 hours or 3 months (whichever occurs first). ... Clean air intake gauze.” — manufacturer (1973), fujiyachts.net |
| Drive belts inspect / replace 4.108(M) marine | 150 hrs or 3 mo | “Every 150 hours or 3 months (whichever occurs first). ... * Check drive belt tension.” — manufacturer (1973), fujiyachts.net |
| Valve clearance check / adjust 4.108(M) marine | 2,400 hrs | “Every 2,400 hours ... Check and adjust valve tip clearances.” — manufacturer (1973), fujiyachts.net |
| Injector test / service 4.108(M) marine | 2,400 hrs | “Every 2,400 hours ... Service atomisers.” — manufacturer (1973), fujiyachts.net |
| Transmission fluid change 4.108(M) marine | 400 hrs or 1 yr | “Every 400 hours or 12 months (whichever occurs first). ... Change gearbox oil.” — manufacturer (1973), fujiyachts.net |
| Clean water trap 4.108(M) marine | 150 hrs or 3 mo | “Every 150 hours or 3 months (whichever occurs first). ... Clean water trap.” — manufacturer (1973), fujiyachts.net |
| Check engine for oil and water leaks 4.108(M) marine | 150 hrs or 3 mo | “Every 150 hours or 3 months (whichever occurs first). ... Check engine for leakage of oil and water.” — manufacturer (1973), fujiyachts.net |
| Lubricate dynamo rear bush (where fitted) 4.108(M) marine | 150 hrs or 3 mo | “Every 150 hours or 3 months (whichever occurs first). ... Lubricate dynamo rear bush (where fitted).” — manufacturer (1973), fujiyachts.net |
| Check hoses and clips 4.108(M) marine | 400 hrs or 1 yr | “Every 400 hours or 12 months (whichever occurs first). ... Check hoses and clips.” — manufacturer (1973), fujiyachts.net |
| Drain and clean fuel tank 4.108(M) marine | 400 hrs or 1 yr | “Every 400 hours or 12 months (whichever occurs first). ... Drain and clean fuel tank” — manufacturer (1973), fujiyachts.net |
| Examine and service starter motor, generator etc. 4.108(M) marine | 2,400 hrs | “Every 2,400 hours Arrange for examination and service of proprietary equipment, i.e. starter motor, generator, etc.” — manufacturer (1973), fujiyachts.net |
Service part numbers (7)
| Oil filter later engines with spin-on filter |
Perkins 2654403 | “A genuine Perkins 4.108 oil filter - OE Part No. 2654403 ... Fits 4.108 and 4.108M.” — dealer, parts4engines.com · “Filter, Oil late type long 2654403, Length 130mm - 2654403” — dealer, lancingmarine.com |
| Oil filter early engines with element-in-canister filter |
Perkins 26540154 | “A genuine Perkins 4.108 Oil Filter - OE Part No. 26540154” — dealer, parts4engines.com · “Filter, Oil early type 26540154, Length 122mm - 26540154” — dealer, lancingmarine.com |
| Fuel filter cartridge-type filter housing (most engines) |
Perkins 4326658 Replaces 26561117 Also: Delphi (CAV) 296 |
“A genuine Perkins 4.108 fuel filter - OE Part No. 4326658 ... supersedes ... 26561117.” — dealer, parts4engines.com · “Fuel Filter (296) Was 26561117 Now 4326658” — dealer, lancingmarine.com |
| Fuel filter early engines with bowl-type filter housing |
Perkins 30242 | “A genuine Perkins 4.108 fuel filter element - OE Part Number 30242 ... fitted to early Perkins 4.108” — dealer, parts4engines.com · “Filter element, Fuel old type 30242, Length 74mm small element - 30242” — dealer, lancingmarine.com |
| Raw-water impeller Jabsco raw-water pump (3270, 3370-200 or 9970-200) |
Jabsco 1210-0001 | “4.107M / 4.108M / LL 9970-200 040 3/4" BSP Flange SK229 3298 1210-0001” — manufacturer, marineengine.com |
| Raw-water pump kit Jabsco 9970-200 pump |
Jabsco SK229 | “4.107M / 4.108M / LL 9970-200 040 3/4" BSP Flange SK229 3298 1210-0001” — manufacturer, marineengine.com |
| Raw-water pump kit Jabsco 3370-200 pump (obsolete) |
Jabsco SK33 | “4.107M / 4.108M / LL 3370-200 ... 9970-200 SK33 3298 1210-0001” — manufacturer, marineengine.com |
From the engine maker’s parts lists, or two independent parts dealers. Numbers change with serial number and get superseded — check yours before ordering.
Model sources (7)
sailboatdata.com · mason-sailboats.org · mason-sailboats.org · yachtr.com · mason-sailboats.org · boatsector.com · mason44.com
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Researched from public sources. Spotted an error? The sources are listed above — tell us what they got wrong.