'Barbara Ann', a Mason 43 Ketch for Sale

'Barbara Ann' is a Mason 43 Boat Show Edition, launched in April 1982.

She was especially commissioned to be exhibited at the European Boatshows in 1981/1982 - I still have the original brochure from the boatshow. 'Barbara Ann' was the first Mason 43 to be built with the companionway squared-off for safer entry. This meant that the standard square spray hood could be fitted, which was the only downfall of the earlier editions.

Specification:
Hull Type: Full keel
Rigging Type: Ketch
Length Overall: 43'10" (13.36m)
Waterline Length: 31'3" (9.53m)
Beam: 12'3" (3.73m)
Draft: 6'3" (1.91m)
Displacement: 25,000lb (11,340kg)
Construction: GRP (Fibreglass)
First Built: 1978
Last Built: 1985
Number Built: 180

Design Ratios:
Sail Area/Displacement: 14.5
Ballast/Displacement: 33.6
Displacement/Length: 366
Comfort Ratio: 39.2
Capsize Screening Formula: 1.7

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The Mason 43 made every top 30, 40 or 50 best yachts of all time in the 1980s, 1990s, 2000 and 2010. As this Mason 43 was built to show off and capture European interest, it was kitted out with all extras and the attention to detail to archieve the perfection that is visible throughout. She comes with 2 large history files of paperwork from construction 1980/81, transport to Europe 1981, first registration 11/3/1982, to present day.

'Barbara Ann' has been family owned from new and updates are always ongoing - rigging, hatches, sails, electrical, electric toilet with holding tank, stanchions etc. The top of the range upgrade Volvo Penta MD21b 75hp is fitted and has been constantly pampered as we are lucky enough to have a Marine Mechanic in the family, so genuine parts are always available. There are only 1,948 hours on the engine. 'Barbara Ann' has twice sailed from Europe to the Caribbean and spent the rest of her life sheltered in marinas.

'Barbara Ann' has large tanks, all stainless steel, for ocean sailing; 780 litre water and 400 litre diesel. She had a quality Vetus bowthruster fitted 7 years ago along with rigging, top of the range passarelle, granny bars at mast, boiler, new instruments, spray-hood, sails and 2 years ago engine starter, all pumps, new batteries, winter cover to change cockpit into a room, solar panels, electric toilet, upholstery and curtains, 6 man offshore life-raft. She has a diesel heating system. New fenders, lines, cooker/oven this year. Keel-stepped masts for ocean sailing. There is a large store of spares for everything including the engine.

'Barbara Ann' was built for short-handed ocean sailing, so a couple can easily handle her. She has a ketch rig so does not have the oversized main (on a sloop version this would mean constant reefing) and this will also average just under a knot faster in trade winds than the sloop version with its 920 sq meters of sail.

The attention to quality and detail you will not find on any other boat, solid teak and mahogany is used throughout the boat giving it that class of luxury and stainless steel fittings everywhere including the bulkheads structure.

This version originally sold for $225,000 and $169,000 for the base version. When the name was changed to the Mason 44 it was because no profit had been made on 43's, so huge cost cutting on production was introduced. Articles over the years describe this 43 as 'bullet proof', 'indestructible', 'best short-handed ocean sailor', 'timeless', 'will hold its value', 'best family/couple yacht for comfort'.

'Barbara Ann' has two double berth cabins so it always has the main cabin free and spacious. A great liveaboard with excellent comforts to make a desirable cruising yacht. The 28mm lead-filled keel was designed to be extra safe, even hit coral reefs without any major damage or the need to put on dry dock as the bolt-on keel boats all have too.

The Mason 43 deserves all the praise and accolades it has received over the years and you will be very pleased if you purchase our yacht for the decades to come. Marina fees including water and electric on south of Spain till June 2021 (or credit of about €2,300 can be used at a later date if you wish).

The average 43 currently sells for around €100,000 in the United States but we all know Covid 19 is here so we are willing to accept a major discount.

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