Mason was an American naval architect who specialized in cruising sailboats. Ta Shing began as a subcontractor before building under the Mason name. Its solid-fiberglass construction and encapsulated lead ballast accompany an enduring reputation in owner circles as a proven bluewater cruiser.
Design and Construction
The Mason 53 has a long fin keel and a skeg-hung rudder. Her solid-fiberglass hull carries 14,360 pounds of lead ballast against a displacement of 38,600 pounds. The resulting 37.2 ballast-displacement ratio places her firmly in the loaded-cruiser camp.
Ta Shing built the hull and deck in solid fiberglass, and owners who live with the boat appreciate the resulting solidity. The hull-to-deck joint and structural bulkheads reflect a serious cruising build. The yard’s later switch from polyester to vinylester resin marks the construction era without changing the boat’s essential character.
The Mason 53 is no longer in production. Some sources estimate that around 30 to 40 boats were built during its seven-year run.
Rig, Sailing, and Handling
Both the aft-cockpit and centre-cockpit versions could be rigged as either a cutter or a staysail ketch. These options gave owners flexibility when choosing a sail plan for short-handed sailing or heavy-weather work.
Under sail, the Mason 53 is well-balanced, responsive, and stable. She can handle light winds as well as heavy seas with ease and may reach up to 9 knots in favourable winds. A bow thruster and powerful engine make manoeuvring and docking easier, while owners identify easy handling as one of the design’s enduring strengths.
Writing in Sail in 1984, reviewers described the Mason 53 as “a yacht of uncommon grace and style” that “sails like a dream.” In a 1998 assessment, Cruising World called her a superbly crafted vessel that offers excellent sailing characteristics.
Accommodations
The Mason 53 came in two versions. The aft-cockpit model has a larger main saloon and a smaller aft cabin. The centre-cockpit version trades some saloon space for a larger aft cabin with an ensuite head.
Both layouts provide a comfortable interior with ample storage and sleeping space. The boat can accommodate up to six people in three cabins: a forward V-berth, an aft double—or two singles in the centre-cockpit layout—and a midship cabin with upper and lower berths. Two heads serve the accommodation.
Owners particularly value the spacious layout and generous storage. A roomy cockpit extends the living space outdoors.
Known Issues
On ageing hulls, owners report leaks, corrosion, and outdated systems as maintenance concerns. These are described as typical problems for an ageing cruiser rather than structural defects.
The Verdict
The Mason 53 is a serious offshore cruiser from the Ta Shing–Al Mason partnership. It combines a heavily ballasted, solid-fiberglass hull with the flexibility of a cutter or staysail-ketch rig and a genuinely roomy three-cabin interior.
Professional reviewers praised its sailing manners and build quality across two decades, while owners continue to value its easy handling and bluewater reputation. The small production run means each available hull warrants individual consideration, and the fleet’s age brings the usual maintenance burdens of leaks, corrosion, and dated systems.
Pros
- Well-balanced, responsive handling, with a bow thruster to ease docking
- Choice of cutter or staysail-ketch rig for cruising
- Three-cabin layout with ample storage and berths for up to six
- Solid Ta Shing construction with encapsulated lead ballast
Cons
- Age-related maintenance burdens, including leaks, corrosion, and outdated systems
- Small production run limits choice on the used market
