Mason 44
Built 1985–? by Ta Shing Yacht Building (Taiwan) for Pacific Asian Enterprises
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About the Mason 44
Researched from public sources for this model. Any individual boat may have been modified or repowered — confirm before relying on any figure.
- Built
- 1985–?
- Builder
- Ta Shing Yacht Building (Taiwan) for Pacific Asian Enterprises
- Designer
- Al Mason / PAE (Jeff Leishman)
- Length
- 43.92 ft
- Draft
- 6.25 ft
- Displacement
- 27,400 lb
- Ballast
- 9,400 lb
- Hull
- fiberglass
- Hull / keel
- full keel
- Rig
- cutter
- Propulsion
- inboard
- Water
- 205 gal
- Holding
- 20 gal
- Water heater
- 11 gal · AC + engine · standard
- Generator
- factory option
- Stern thruster
- not fitted
- Steering
- pedestal cable
Tank capacities — where the figures come from
-
Fuel unknown
“Diesel fuel capacity in the MASON 44 is 160 gallons ... two black iron tanks” — owners' association, mason44.com · “Diesel fuel capacity in the MASON 44 is 160 gallons. The fuel is held within two black iron tanks.” — brochure, mason44.com · “two black iron fuel tanks. These tanks total approximately 168 gallons” — owner's manual, mason-sailboats.org · “Fuel capacity 147 gallons” — builder (hulls 116-118), mason-sailboats.org · “Fuel capacity of the 44 is 160 gallons” — search excerpt, mason-sailboats.org · “Fuel Tankage: 168 gallons diesel in 2 tanks” — search excerpt (1991), ca.boats.comThe builder PAE's papers disagree: its Mason 44 specifications catalog says 160 gal in two black-iron tanks, the owner's manual about 168 in the same tanks, and the spec sheet for hulls 116-118 says 147, perhaps from later hulls' tanks. 160 is the most-quoted figure and a fair default. A 1991 listing's 168 matches the manual.
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Water 205 gal
“The MASON 44 carries 205 gallons of fresh water in five stainless steel water tanks” — owners' association, mason44.com · “The MASON 44 carries 205 gallons of fresh water in five stainless steel water tanks” — brochure, mason44.com · “five stainless steel fresh water tanks totaling approximately 205 gallons” — owner's manual, mason-sailboats.org · “Water capacity 205 gallons” — builder (hulls 116-118), mason-sailboats.org · “Water Tankage: 210 gallons in 5 stainless steel tanks” — search excerpt (1991), ca.boats.comThe builder PAE's specifications catalog, owner's manual and spec sheet for hulls 116-118 all give 205 gal in five stainless tanks. One 1991 listing says 210.
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Holding 20 gal
“MASON 44s are fitted with a 20 gallon fiberglass holding tank” — owner's manual, mason-sailboats.org · “MASON 44s are fitted with a 20 gallon fiberglass holding tank coupled to a Par marine toilet” — brochure, mason44.comThe builder PAE's owner's manual and specifications catalog agree on a 20-gal fiberglass holding tank.
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Water heater 11 gal · AC + engine · standard (American)
“Fresh water is heated by a dual-source water heater. Both AC electricity and engine cooling water are used. The model pr” — brochure, mason44.comThe builder's (Pacific Asian Enterprises, PAE) Mason 44 details/specifications catalog describes the heater as provided (standard) and gives 11 gal, AC + engine coolant. The same catalog lists optional features separately, and the heater is not among them.
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) details catalog and the hull 116-118 specification sheet (one page of a longer spec) mention no thruster; the full option list wasn't seen.
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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
“Standard MASON 44s are equipped with a stainless steel steering pedestal. Steering is accomplished with a gear sprocket” — brochure, mason44.com · “STEERING: Pedestal with 34" wheel; Emergency tiller (Mason 44116, 44117, 44118 specifications)” — builder, mason-sailboats.orgThe builder's (PAE) catalog describes a pedestal with sprocket, chain and cable over sheaves to a quadrant, a standard brake, and an emergency tiller over the rudder-shaft head; later hulls 116-118 list a 34-inch wheel. The pedestal maker isn't named.
Thrusters and steering are often replaced — check the units on your boat before ordering parts.
Sources disagree on engines, beam, waterline, standard engine, fuel tank — left blank rather than guessed.
Same hull as the 43 with a new deck, lower cabin, companionway moved aft, modified rudder and 1,000 lb more ballast. Teak decks were not standard. Cutter or ketch.
Engines fitted
-
Yanmar 55 hp diesel (model not stated) — 55 hp, diesel, single
standard
Owner-survey review of the Mason 43/44 (hosted by the Mason owners' site): the engine is usually a 55 hp Yanmar in the 44 (vs a Perkins 4-108 in the 43), mounted low under the cabin sole.Sources: mason-sailboats.org
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Perkins 4-108 — 50 hp, diesel, single
factory option
sailboatdata lists a 50 hp Perkins 4-108 as the Mason 44's original engine; the owners' review says the 4-108 was usual in the 43. Probably fitted to some (perhaps early) 44s; see disputed.Sources: sailboatdata.com
Boats of the same model can differ — check which engines yours actually has before ordering parts.
Generator
factory option
“Forward of the engine is sufficient space for a 8.0 KW diesel generator which is offered as a factory option.” — brochure, mason44.com · “If the optional 120 volt "Westerbeke" generator is selected, all operation is handled within this well thought out singl” — brochure, mason44.com
A Westerbeke diesel generator was a PAE factory option; the same catalog gives 8.0 kW in the text and 4.4 kW on the drawing.
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Westerbeke — diesel
factory option
The same builder catalog disagrees on size: the text gives an 8.0 kW diesel as the factory option, while the machinery drawing labels it a Westerbeke 4.4 kW, probably from different catalog revisions, so we give no kW.“optional 120 volt "Westerbeke" generator; 8.0 KW diesel generator ... offered as a factory option; drawing label WESTERB” — brochure, mason44.com
Generators are often replaced or added — check the unit's own plate before ordering parts.
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
- Document mason44.com Manuals page (Mason 44 owner manual and PAE Mason 44 specifications catalog PDFs) — mason44.com
- Owner's manual Mason 44 Owner's Manual (Pacific Asian Enterprises) — mason-sailboats.org
- Spec sheet PAE Mason 44 specifications - hulls 44116, 44117, 44118 — mason-sailboats.org
- Brochure PAE Mason 44 details / specifications catalog (searchable scan) — mason44.com
Hosted by the builder or an owners' association; they own the copyright.
Known problems for this model
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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 optional 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 (6)
sailboatdata.com · mason-sailboats.org · mason44.com · mason44.com · mason-sailboats.org · mason-sailboats.org
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Researched from public sources. Spotted an error? The sources are listed above — tell us what they got wrong.