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Mason 53
Designer: Al Mason  ·  Builder: Ta Shing Yacht Buildling (Taiwan)  ·  First built: 1982
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About the Mason 53

Built for serious offshore cruising, this substantial sailboat represents Mason Yachts' commitment to creating robust, seaworthy vessels capable of handling demanding ocean passages. The Mason 53 embodies the builder's philosophy of prioritizing structural integrity and safety over flashy amenities, making it an attractive choice for experienced sailors planning extended voyages or circumnavigations. Constructed with heavy-duty fiberglass layup and conservative engineering principles, this yacht features the kind of solid build quality that Mason became known for during their production years. The design emphasizes seaworthiness with a full keel configuration that provides excellent directional stability and the ability to take the ground safely in tidal areas. While not designed for racing, the Mason 53 offers respectable sailing performance balanced with the comfort and reliability essential for long-distance cruising. The spacious interior provides genuine liveaboard accommodations without compromising the vessel's offshore capabilities. For sailors seeking a proven platform for serious cruising adventures, particularly those venturing into remote waters where self-sufficiency and reliability are paramount, this yacht delivers the kind of confidence-inspiring construction that has earned Mason boats their reputation among the blue-water sailing community.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 53.50 ft / 16.31 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 39.75 ft / 12.12 m
Beam 14.83 ft / 4.52 m
Max Draft 6.87 ft / 2.09 m
Displacement 38,600.00 lb / 17,509 kg
Ballast 14,360.00 lb / 6,514 kg
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin Keel
Rigging Type Cutter
Construction FG
Designer Al Mason
Builder Ta Shing Yacht Buildling (TAIWAN)
First Built 1982
Last Built 1989
Owner Reviews

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Performance Ratios
PHRF Rating PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Fleet) is a national racing handicap measured in seconds per nautical mile. Lower values indicate faster boats. Ratings are sourced from US Sailing's national database (median across 60+ regional fleets).
Under 0 — Ultralight racer0–90 — Performance racer90–150 — Cruiser/racer150–210 — Typical cruiserOver 210 — Heavy/slow cruiser
132
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
37.2
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
274.36
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 12.63 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 17.14
J (Foretriangle Base) 21.00 ft / 6.40 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 1,218.00 ft² / 113.16 m²
E (Mainsail Foot) 274.36
How It Compares

vs. Little Harbor 53, Oyster 53 Holman Pye, Tayana 52

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Mason 53 ★
53.5 ft
Little Harbor 53
52.7 ft
Oyster 53 Holman Pye
53.0 ft
Tayana 52
52.4 ft
LWL
Mason 53 ★
39.8 ft
Little Harbor 53
42.2 ft
Oyster 53 Holman Pye
44.7 ft
Tayana 52
42.1 ft
Beam
Mason 53 ★
14.8 ft
Little Harbor 53
15.0 ft
Oyster 53 Holman Pye
15.8 ft
Tayana 52
15.0 ft
Displacement
Mason 53 ★
38 lbs
Little Harbor 53
43 lbs
Oyster 53 Holman Pye
40 lbs
Tayana 52
38 lbs
Ballast
Mason 53 ★
14 lbs
Little Harbor 53
18 lbs
Oyster 53 Holman Pye
16 lbs
Tayana 52
14 lbs
Sail Area
Mason 53 ★
Little Harbor 53
1 sq ft
Oyster 53 Holman Pye
1 sq ft
Tayana 52
1 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Mason 53 ★
132 s/nm
Little Harbor 53
69 s/nm
Oyster 53 Holman Pye
Tayana 52
99 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Mason 53 ★
Little Harbor 53
16.7
Oyster 53 Holman Pye
16.8
Tayana 52
16.3
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Mason 53 ★
37.2 %
Little Harbor 53
41.7 %
Oyster 53 Holman Pye
40.4 %
Tayana 52
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Mason 53 ★
Little Harbor 53
39.9
Oyster 53 Holman Pye
34.0
Tayana 52
35.8
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Mason 53 ★
Little Harbor 53
1.72
Oyster 53 Holman Pye
1.83
Tayana 52
1.78
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Mason 53 ★
274
Little Harbor 53
257
Oyster 53 Holman Pye
204
Tayana 52
Hull Speed
Mason 53 ★
Little Harbor 53
8.7 kts
Oyster 53 Holman Pye
9.0 kts
Tayana 52
8.7 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Mason 53 ★
Little Harbor 53
2.1
Oyster 53 Holman Pye
Tayana 52
2.3
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