The lines of a Mason 44 are “classic and timeless” – her well documented sea kindly motion offers effortless blue water cruising. 180 Mason 43 and 44 were built – long keel with solid GRP hull construction makes a ‘bullet proof’ go anywhere sailing vessel.
This example was imported into the UK in 2013 with full UK VAT paid and CE certification in place.
A MAJOR rebuild and refit included, new engine, new electrical wiring, heating, hull paint, teak rub rails, refrigeration. More recent upgrades include a bow thruster, Raymarine, Force 10 cooker, gas pipes. In 2019 she had new standing rigging, new boom to suit a conventional slab reef main, new sails (main, yankee & staysail - all in Hydranet). Also new batteries in 2023.
‘Lyra May’ has never had teak decks! So…………she is quite special.
Recent copper (2025) coat adds to the list - she is in the water, serviced & ready to set sail.
CONSTRUCTION - from the manufacturer
“The Mason 44 was designed and constructed to meet and exceed specifications set forth by the American Bureau of Shipping and Lloyd’s for fiberglass yacht construction. All laminations took place in dehumidified air-conditioned lay-up rooms. Materials such as fiberglass, resin, foam, etc., are also stored within climatically controlled areas as mandated by Lloyd’s regulations. Every Mason was built to the same rigorous standards.
The Mason 44 hull is completely hand laminated with eight full-length longitudinal foam-filled stringers. Heavy laminated transverse transvers stringers, double bonded ¾” structural bulkheads, and joiner bulkheads used for interior furniture assured a rigid structure capable of withstanding a great deal of abuse…
A vertical-end grain balsa core separated two hand laid laminates of one-piece molded fiberglass deck. The deck was secured to the hull using a combination of 3-M 5200 epoxy compound, heavy fiberglass bonding of six laminates, thru bolts on 8” centers and self-tapping stainless-steel screws on on 8” centers. Many designers of production fiberglass “offshore cruising boats” endorsed identical hull to deck joint construction but without the fiberglass lamination. The Mason 44 had without a question the toughest hull to deck joint in the industry.
It should be noted that there are no less than six ¾” structural bulkheads in a Mason 44, all of which are attached to fiber rope (mare’s tale) and three alternating laminates of 1 ½ oz. matt and woven roving on both sides of mahogany bulkhead. The foam between the bulkhead and the hull insures no hard spots on bulkhead transfer visible from the yachts exterior. Every joinery bulkhead (of which there are dozens) is also attached to the deck and hull using two alternating layers of fiberglass matt and woven roving. Also note that one of eight full-length foam and fiberglass longitudinal stringer. No other yacht offers this level of security and peace of mind.” ~ Pacific Asian Enterprises
CONSTRUCTION
Hull painted in Awlgrip 'Whisper Grey' - 2014
Teak rub rail fitted 2014
New fuel tank fitted 2019 - port side under bunk
Holding tank fitted
Copper coated 2025
New deck drain hoses - 2025
New below waterline seacocks - 2025
DECK
“Only the highest quality electropolished stainless steel was used for the deck hardware onboard the Mason 44. All stanchions bases, chocks, hinges, and bow rollers were fabricated from forged stock. Virtually no cast fittings were used insuring void-free rugged gear.” ~ Pacific Asian Enterprises
Deck is cored fiberglass sandwich and molded nonskid with oversized hardware featuring:
Factory gel coat molded nonskid decks
Teak decks in cockpit
Bulwark all around with scuppers and teak cap rail
Exterior teak cap rail and handrails
Solid stainless stem head fitting with anchor platform on small sprit
Double bow roller and electric windlass (electric windlass rebuilt & rec-chromed 2024)
Rocna (25kg) anchor - mounted on bow
Stainless steel bow pulpit
Mast safety pulpit
Stainless steel stanchions with boarding gates port and starboard
Stainless steel 1" tubular life line
(6) Standard mooring cleats are all 8" bow, stern, and mid ships
(6) Lewmar opening deck hatches with hatch covers
(8) Stainless steel opening ports
Stainless dorades with fiberglass boxes
Deck prisms for natural lighting over chart table and galley
Deck scuppers drain at the water line
Stern mounting swim/boarding ladder folds down
Stern pulpit
Vented propane locker holding two 20 lb. tanks
Electric powered halyard winch - port side coachroof
Lewmar 52 primary winches
Fold down 'gin & tonic' seats on pushpit
Varnished cap rail & gunwale
Varnished drinks holder at pedestal
RIGGING - from the manufacturer
“The design, fabrication, and installation of the chainplates on a Mason 44 is an example of the many details on which a Mason buyer gets their money’s worth. On the standard cutter-rigged boat, the double spreader rig utilizes a individual chainplate for both the upper and intermediate stays. The upper and intermediate chainplates, as with all the chainplates, are forged stainless steel measuring ½” x 2” and running below the deck level over 36”. Both chainplates are attached to a primary structural bulkhead which is reinforced with two ¾” mahogany doublers. The total thickness of this chainplate attachment is just under three inches, including all the fiberglass lamination. The two chainplates are anchored to either side of the bulkhead with eight 7/16’ stainless steel bolts. The fore and aft lower chainplates which are ¼” x 1 ¾” are similarly anchored to a ¾” mahogany webs laminate with three alternating layers of 1 ½ oz. matt and woven roving plus the mare’s tails as discussed in the structural bulkhead attachment.” ~ Pacific Asian Enterprises
RIGGING
Standing rigging overhauled & replaced 2019
New running rigging 2019
Cutter rig with Harken furling Yankee & Staysail
New conventional boom fitted 2019 - Selden
New Antal mainsail track & car system to mast - 2019
Guard wires from 2024
New chainplates - 2025
New vang - 2025
SAILS
New white sails from Penrose - 2019
Hydranet Mainsail, Yankee & staysail
Crusiing chute in snuffer - date unknown but in good shape
ELECTRICAL
Complete re-wire in 2014
Converted to 240V systems
New switch panels
AGM service batteries from 2023
Switch panel in cockpit for nav lights & spreader lights
240V generator - 4KVA
NAVIGATION
Raymarine navigation system
New NMEA 2000 backbone + i70 multi - 2025
Hybrid touch screens at helm and chart table
Raymarine radar
Raymarine ST60 speed & depth & wind
Raymarine P70 Autopilot
AIS CLASS B transponder
Large Ritchie compass at binnacle
ICOM - DSC VHF - M423 - new mast aerial & cable
Fusion domestic stereo system
ACCOMMODATION
Beautiful teak interior
Full diesel heating system (Eberspacher) heating every room - fitted 2014
New galley Force 10 cooker - fitted 2017
New gas hoses 2024
Refrigeration pumps - fitted 2014
2 cabin layout with forward V berth (with infill)
Large aft double cabin
Saloon seating & sea berths with Lee cloths
Heads with manual pump toilet & separate shower
New heads plumbing & holding tanks system - 2025
Re-varnished saloon table
LED bulbs
MECHANICAL
Yanmar 4JHE 55hp engine fitted new 2014 - serviced May 2025
Folding prop
Single lever throttle & gear control (replaced original dual lever system)
Freezer system from 2014
Bowthruster (Sidepower)_ - fitted 2015
Generator - rebuilt & serviced 2024/25